How about we transfer ourselves to the coast?
Jumbo shrimp gets a makeover with a fun, cheesy dip with a kick! #MoreCoastal
I am the first to admit that seafood doesn't land on our dinner table all too often. Maybe it is because we are landlocked. Maybe it's because I'm lazy. Or maybe it's just because in my head I feel like it is too tricky to tackle.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture {USDA} recommends that people eat at least two servings of seafood each week. However, the average American consumes less than one serving a week.
Me included.
When SeaPak Shrimp & Seafood Co. offered me the opportunity to sample some of their shrimp {America's #1 Breaded Shrimp}, I jumped at the chance. Everyone in my family loves shrimp, so why aren't we eating more of it?
Being the middle of winter in Iowa {i.e. bone chilling cold}, I wanted to transport us to the coast. We needed something to change up our dinner routine. My kids love anything crunchy and crispy and even more than that they like to "dip" their foods. What kid doesn't?
At least once a week I plan a couple "easy" dinners. Dinners that require little thinking and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Hey, I'm busy! I'm often shuffling kids to and from and tending to a house, a husband and a dog.
I need easy when it is available.
Frozen SeaPak shrimp makes it easy to bring the taste of coast to your family's table. My middle child, who turns five in a couple months, helped arrange them on a baking sheet and even popped them in the oven for me.
Less than 20 minutes later? Viola! Crispy, crunchy, jumbo shrimp.
And the dip? It was an added bonus.
Cream cheese, garlic, tangy Parmesan with a healthy kick of a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce....this dip is phenomenal.
We placed the dip in ramekins and baked it right next to the shrimp. No need for extra dishes or pans. In under 20 minutes of baking time we had a fun, unique, coastal dinner. I rounded out the meal with a salad on the side. What a fun change of pace!
My kids LOVED this. I have no reason why I will not make this again. You know what happens when you serve a dinner that is "out of the norm" for you? Your kids remember it. Then they promptly ask for it again.
And again.
And again.
We had shrimp again two nights later.
SeaPak is highly regarded within the seafood industry for its adherence to the utmost quality standards and for its commitment to resource management and sustainability. They are committed to making life for consumers more coastal, by sharing with them the best tastes and experiences of coastal living.
I mean, why not add this to your dinner rotation once a week?
You know what else is cool? SeaPak's Seafood Sweepstakes is in full swing. Someone {and a lucky friend} will win a trip to New York City for a culinary lesson with Food Network Kitchens! I'd give my left arm for that opportunity. Be sure to enter HERE for your chance to win.
Baked Cheesy Chipotle Dip with Jumbo Shrimp Dippers
1 pkg. SeaPak Jumbo Shrimp
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 c. mayo
1-2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, chopped {depending on how much heat you want}
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
1/2 c. Monterey Jack cheese
1 T. lemon juice
1 T. dried parsley
chopped tomatoes for garnish
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl combine cheeses, mayo, chipotle chiles, garlic, lemon juice and parsley. Fill dip into a heat safe dish.
3. Place SeaPak jumbo shrimp on the baking sheet. Place both the dip and shrimp into the oven. Cook shrimp according to directions, 12-14 minutes, turning once. The dip will cook next to the shrimp and be hot and bubbly when the shrimp is done.
4. Sprinkle dip with the chopped tomatoes and serve along side the hot shrimp. Serve warm.
Be sure to follow along with SeaPak on their social media channels {Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube} you just never know what they might be up to!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SeaPak. The opinions and text are all mine.