Healthy Appetizers...Featuring Lower Fat Creamy Cajun Shrimp Dip #healthyappetizers #healthyentertaining #lowfatfood #healthy2022

Spring entertaining season is here...which means lots of fun  appetizers. That can often mean excess fat and calories...but it doesn't have to! My Creamy Cajun Shrimp Dip is a perfect example of health AND tasty. This chunky dip features sweet Gulf shrimp, green onions, Cajun seasoning, garlicky hot sauce, and other flavorful ingredients. To shave fat and calories...without sacrificing creamy texture...I use fat-free Greek yogurt and reduced-fat olive oil mayo. This dip takes less than 10 minutes to prep with a food processor. That can be our little secret, though! Get ready for some serious compliments when your guests try this flavorful dip...

Creamy Cajun Shrimp Dip

a Weekend Gourmet Original

Ingredients (makes approx. 3 cups -- six 1/2-cup servings):

• 6 TBS reduced fat olive oil mayonnaise 
• 6 oz. container fat-free plain Greek yogurt 
• 1/2 sliced green onion 
• 1 finely minced or grated garlic clove
• 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning blend [NOTE: I use Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic] 
• 1 TBS garlic hot sauce
• 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 TBS lemon zest
• Salt & pepper to taste 
• 10.5 ounces small boiled shrimp (50 per pound) 
• 1/8 cup chopped fresh parsley (garnish) 

For dipping: celery, sliced bell peppers, and toasted cauliflower thin triangles

Directions:

Step 1: Reserve 3-4 whole shrimp for garnish. Add all dip ingredients except the shrimp to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse ingredients 5-6 times, until the green onions and garlic are completely incorporated into the dip.

Step 2: Add the shrimp, salt, and pepper to the food processor. Pulse 2-3 times, until the shrimp are slightly chopped and incorporated into the dip. You definitely want to have small chunks of shrimp clearly visible in this chunky dip.

Step 3: Spoon the finished dip into a festive serving bowl. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and garnish with the reserved shrimp. Serve the substantial dip with crudité and/or toasted triangles of cauliflower thins. If you're not watching your carb intake, baked chips are another great dipper.

This dip is incredibly good…it’s creamy, with the perfect amount of spice! No one will ever guess that this dip is lower in fat and calories. The chunks of sweet shrimp and bits of green onion add texture and flavor to every bite. I prefer to make this dip the day before -- or morning of -- when I plan to serve i. It’s delicious when freshly made, but tastes even better when the flavors have a chance to hang out together in the fridge for a few hours. I hope this dip is one you keep in your culinary bag of tricks for the busy Spring/Summer entertaining season.