Christmas Cheer Or Any Time Of Year Cheese Shrimp Spread Food

PIMENTO CHEESE SPREAD WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; add the cheddar cheese and continue beating until light and fluffy.
• Beat in mayonnaise and garlic powder; stir in pimento and chopped shrimp.
• Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

SHRIMP AND BLUE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Peel shrimp; devein, if desired.
• Saute onion in hot oil in a skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Stir in shrimp and cookk, stirring occasionally, 3-4 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink. Transfer to a bowl, and let stand 15 minutes. Chop shrimp and return to bowl.
• Stir in cream cheese and next 10 ingredients. Cover and chill for 4 hours. Store in an airtight container up to 2 days. Serve with vegetables and bread slices.

CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, honey and cinnamon until smooth.
• Spread on a serving dish or plate.
• In a bowl, stir cranberry sauce until it reaches spreading consistancy; spread over cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with almonds.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Serve with crackers.

SHRIMP SPREAD

Steps:

• Finely chop the shrimp; place in a bowl.
• Stir in the next six ingredients until well blended.
• Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
• Serve with crackers.

CHRISTMAS CHEER (OR ANY TIME OF YEAR) CHEESE & SHRIMP SPREAD

Steps:

• Use your food processor or immersion blender to combine all ingredients (except the shrimp & diced peppers) till the mixture is smooth.
• Then, stir in the diced shrimp & peppers.
• Decide your presentation, prepare for it accordingly & chill for at least 1 hr before removing to garnish as desired & serve (with crackers, bread or choice of vegetables/crudites).
• Presentation #1: Use the Christmas mold of your choice or bowl and line with plastic wrap.
• Form into a log or ball wrapped in plastic wrap - Use a 1-qt round tube mold lined w/plastic wrap (meant to resemble a holiday wreath).
• Presentation #2: Prepare as bread or tortilla pinwheels and chill as directed above.
• In Iceland, bread pinwheels are called brauðterta. They are very popular & are made w/an already cooked, flattened & rolled bread product from the freezer section.
• It has a durable plastic sheet w/it to help you get a compact roll after you apply the filling.
• I do not believe this product is available in the U.S., but I suppose you could get creative & make your own.
• To Garnish: The recipe suggested using a combination of finely diced green & red peppers, cucumber, pimento or parsley.
• I happen to think that plumped dried cranberries would be good for this & even added to the shrimp & cheese mix.
• Bottom line: Use whatever suits your fancy to create your own desired holiday look.
• Regarding pictures: I posted pictures of the brauðterta & tortilla version as it is a little late to go for a holiday look. In the tortilla pic, I made a stacker & cut wedges. I also got 7 2" tortilla rounds from each 8" tortilla using my cookie cutter.