"Wrap Up" Your Holiday Planning with Shrimp

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With its versatile taste, easy preparation and high nutritional value, shrimp can glamorize a host of holiday goodies, like the perfect bow on your favorite gift. When traditional holiday fare begins to lose its appeal and originality, clever cooks can use shrimp to elevate dishes from ordinary to extraordinary!

"Combining shrimp with favorite foods can help a hostess liven up the table with great flavor and style," says Judy Dashiell, senior vice president of the National Fisheries Institute.  "A vast array of recipes using shrimp, from simple to elegant, ensures that your dish will be the star of festive occasions.  You can make holiday meals feel more imaginative and indulgent when they're accented by this scrumptious seafood."

Add shrimp to Bruschetta or Crudites and have a light and delicious make-ahead offering for your guests.  When the party lights twinkle to signal the start of an evening affair, brighten up a holiday spread with a shrimp-topped appetizer, such as Shrimp and Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip.

Shrimp and Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

• 1/3 pound prepared small to medium shrimp
• 1 package (9-10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 package (8 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
• 1 garlic clove, chopped
• 1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup light sour cream
• 1/2 cup shredded, part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• Pita chips

Preparation

Dip

1. Microwave spinach in a large, microwave-safe bowl on high for 3 minutes or until thawed.  Drain spinach well, pressing between paper towels.

2. Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Add cream cheese and garlic.  Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring constantly, until cream cheese melts.  Fold in spinach, artichokes, sour cream, shrimp, sundried tomatoes and 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.  Stir until cheese melts.

3. Transfer mixture to a 1-quart, shallow baking dish.  Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until hot and bubbly.  Serve with pita chips.

SOURCE The Shrimp Council