Hot Cajun Shrimp Dip

My relationship with spicy food has not always been a positive one. Maybe it's because I didn't grow up eating foods with a high heat factor; contrary to what some think, Cuban food is generally not spicy. But, I did experience a little -- let's call it, trauma -- as a kid that I like to refer to as The Jalapeno Incident of 1990 that could certainly have had something to do with the aversion.

During a family Disney trip, my dad accidentally mistook jalapenos for pickles as he loaded up my burger with toppings at a lunch buffet. How you mistake the two, I have no idea... but if you know my dad, you know the flub is entirely feasible for him. 

Anyway, I took one bite of that "loaded" burger and I.Saw.Stars. First, a strange tingling. Then an intense burning that started at my lips and spread like wildfire through my entire mouth within seconds. Five alarm. 

Though I was old enough to communicate, I couldn't even verbalize the problem because my tongue was too busy feeling like it licked a smoldering log. So I cried. Maybe even whimpered. Needless to say, it was a while before I {purposely} ventured into the world of spicy food again. {And an even longer while before I let my dad fix my burgers for me. Parenting fail.}

I'm happy to say that since then, I've "warmed up" to spicy foods, so to speak. I eased in with "quick heat" like wasabi and horseradish, then graduated to using small amounts of cayenne and red pepper flakes in my cooking, and finally dove into the world of hot sauce. 

Now, I actually like adding some spice to my food. So there's hope for you if you, too, have been scarred from a bad jalapeno experience.

This Hot Cajun Shrimp Dip is a great place to dip your toe into the hot sauce and test the waters. {Ew, not literally.} Not only does the creamy cream cheese help to tame the heat, but you can also control your spice level by adding more or less hot sauce to the dip. {The folks at Tabanero send me a sampler pack and I went with the original recipe, but they also have Extra Hot and Sweet & Spicy.}

I can see this shrimp dip served up on SuperBowl Sunday or even for upcoming Mardi Gras celebrations... just make sure you warn your guests so there are no unwanted surprises! Unlike the infamous burger, I have a feeling they'll be going back for a second bite.

Disclosure: I was sent a complimentary pack of Tabanero Hot Sauce to try. As always, all the opinions here are my own. :)

Hot Cajun Shrimp Dip

Adapted from Southern Living 

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 scallions, thinly sliced {plus extra for garnish}

1 small green bell pepper, finely diced

3 tablespoons diced pimientos

1 glove garlic, grated or minced 

1/2 pound peeled, deveined shrimp, roughly chopped

1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 {8 oz. block} cream cheese*

1 to 2 teaspoons {or more if you dare!} hot sauce, such as Tabanero 

1. Heat butter and olive oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add scallions, bell pepper, diced pimientos and garlic and cook until tender and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

2. Add chopped shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Stir to combine. Cook until shrimp is opaque and cooked through. 

3. Add cream cheese and stir until the cheese is completely melted and smooth. Mix in hot sauce.

Garnish with extra chopped scallions if desired.

Serve with crackers or chips. 

*Using the whole block of cream cheese makes for a very creamy dip. If you prefer a chunkier dip with more focus on the shrimp, use only half to 3/4 of the cream cheese.

Game Day for Girlfriends | #ScoreMoreFans

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Gathering with girlfriends has come a long way from the days of Tupperware parties with gelatin molds and sleepovers in frilly pajamas. The modern woman can have many of the same interests as her guy friends like grilling, lifting weights and watching football... but there are times that she may prefer the dainty details that guys tend to overlook when it comes to planning celebrations and parties.

With the big game just around the corner, guys and gals alike will be throwing game-watching parties to root on their team with friends and family. And while a bag of chips served with jar of salsa poured over a block of cream cheese is perfectly acceptable football food for a party of dudes, {and surprisingly tasty} the presentation might leave something to be desired if you're expecting to wow guests. {Apologies to my brother-in-law who claims this as his signature dish.}

This year, I say let the men do their own thing. Gather up your girlfriends and "take it to the house" -- YOUR house! -- and host your own game day soiree with a "RITZy", effervescent twist!

You don't have to go crazy with expensive decorations or fussy details to set the stage for an impressive football fete. Just a few basic supplies are all you need to decorate for the big game! I found just about everything I needed from food to festive touches at Walmart. 

For very little money I was able to transform ordinary party supplies like wrapping paper, paper plates, plastic cups and decorative toothpicks into a spread fit for a gridiron goddess.

I took the playbook theme to the next level and used lots of blackboard and chalk details to tie the look together and stick with a game day motif. Chalkboard stickers made it easy to label cups for each guest and also served as a great way to amp up table signage.

Nothing says "Go Team" like a glittery pom poms, so I used those as table decor along with some simple letter cutouts that I found in the craft section of the store. A piece of scrapbook paper made to look like a football field added a pop of color in the center of the table, along with hints of red and white from the serving dishes.

Black wrapping paper covered my table {which is fantastic for easy cleanup at the end of the night}, and I used a white chalk pen to scribble directly on the surface to showcase some of the tasty bites.

I wanted to keep my menu simple but clever, so I got to work on creating some bite-sized snacks that kept with the game day feel. Classic messy Sloppy Joes popped into my mind immediately... but then so did stained furniture and rugs. Ugh. I solved the problem by serving up the appetizers on RITZ® Crackers, which made them more cute than clunky!

Buttery RITZ® Crackers worked perfectly as a vehicle for sweet and saucy Mini Coca-Cola Sloppy Joes. I assembled some ready-to-go joes for immediate snacking on a platter, but also set out toppings for gals who want to add a little something extra. {Scroll to the bottom of the post for the recipe!}

No party of mine is complete without something sweet! The solution? A DIY Coca-Cola Float Bar that doubled as a beverage and a dessert.

Setting it up is simple: Offer a few ice cream options {I chose Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Brownie Chunk. YUM.}, set out some bottles of classic Coca-Cola or Coke Zero {just $5 for two 16.9 oz. 6-packs at Walmart}, and display a few topping options like whipped cream, chocolate and caramel sauce, chopped nuts and fancy cookies for guests to create their own fizzy float! 

I jazzed up each cup with a personalized chalkboard sticker and added a little extra pizzazz with chocolate sauce/sprinkle rims that are a breeze to make before guests arrive. Add a cute striped straw and a cherry on top and watch the girls sip with pure joy!

Just in case the game goes into overtime, it never hurts to have a little something extra on hand for nibbling. I used the same RITZ® Crackers that were part of my savory snacks and gave them a sweet makeover by filling them with sweetened whipped cream, dipping them in melted chocolate and adding some sprinkles for good measure. A few minutes in the freezer is all it takes for these popable treats to set up. {You can also fill these with your favorite frosting, nut butter or dessert spread! Keep an eye out for more detailed instructions later this week!}

My party turned out like no game-watching party I've ever been to, and though this event was meant for girls only, I have a feeling the guys will be asking for invites the next time around! So ladies, whether you decide to make the dress code "Jerseys and Pearls" or keep it casual with team colors and sweatpants {your best girls won't judge}, throw your own football social and enjoy the big game in style!

For more amazing {and adorable!} football party ideas with Coca-Cola and RITZ® Crackers, head over to SnacksandSips.net!

Mini Coca-Cola Sloppy Joes

1 small onion, finely diced
1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 clove garlic, minced or grated
3/4 cup Coca Cola or Coke Zero
RITZ® Crackers

Optional: Diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, shredded cheese for topping

1. Heat about a tablespoon of oil in a large pan over medium high heat.  Add onion and saute until starting to caramelize, about 5-7 minutes.

2. Add ground meat to pan and break up with a spoon to crumble. {I like using a potato masher.} Sprinkle salt over meat and cook until browned and no longer pink.

3. Meanwhile, whisk together tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Pour into meat and mix to coat meat. Cook for about 2 more minutes.

3. Pour in Coca-Cola, scraping up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Bring to a bubble and simmer until the sauce has reduced and thickened a bit.

Cool slightly, then assemble mini sloppy joes by sandwiching a scoop of meat mixture between two Ritz Crackers. Carefully skewer with a toothpick or create a DIY setup with diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce cheese and other toppings.