Shrimp Dip or Spread

== Description ==
This recipe can easily be halved. It can also be doubled easily. — JJ
* Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
* Makes 6 cups
== Ingredients ==
* 7½ cups water
* 2½ pounds unpeeled, medium shrimp
* ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
* ½ large onion, finely chopped
* 1 clove garlic, minced
* 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
* 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
* garnish: cooked, peeled shrimp
== Directions ==
# Bring water to a boil, add shrimp and cook 3 to 5 minutes or just until shrimp turn pink.
# Drain and rinse with cold water; peel shrimp, devein and finely chop.
# Add bell pepper, onion and garlic to shrimp.
# Beat cream cheese and next 4 ingredients until fluffy.
# Stir into shrimp mixture.
# Chill, but remove from refrigerator 30 to 60 minutes before serving.
# Garnish, if desired, with whole shrimp.
# Serve with crackers, chips and fresh vegetables or fill small pastry shells or celery sticks with the mixture.
Category:Cathy's Recipes
Category:Dip Recipes
Category:Spread Recipes
Category:Shrimp Recipes
Category:Green bell pepper Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Cream cheese Recipes
Category:Mayonnaise Recipes
Category:Lemon juice Recipes