Doesn’t it feel like there is one appetizer event after another these days? Last week was my Grammy’s party with my girlfriends and this week it is the Super Bowl party with all my crazy sports friends.  Now I think I have mentioned in past posts that sporting events aren’t really my thing….well in terms of actually watching the game.   I am much more interested in what is on the buffet table than who is on the field.

But, not to worry – you don’t need to be sports fanatic to enjoy a good super bowl party!  Look at game day as time to hang out with friends, eat yummy football foods and watch all the entertaining, super-expensive commercials that people will be talking about on Monday at the office.

This year my contribution to the buffet bounty will be my Sassy Saucy Buffalo Shrimp.  This is a fun appetizer is a good choice when you don’t mind getting your fingers messy.  It also happens to pair well with the typical game day drink of choice – ice cold beer.  I like to serve it with some good thick cut potato chips because they are oh so good when dipped in the remaining sauce after the shrimp are gone.  Oh, and don’t forget the napkins because, as I said, this appetizer can get a little messy, but it is totally worth it!  So give it a try and let me know what you think.

Sassy Saucy Butterfly Shrimp

Prep time: 6 minutes  Cook time: 10 minutes  Makes 8 appetizer servings

• 1 (16 oz) package SeaPak® Shrimp Scampi, or half a (32 oz) club package of SeaPak® Shrimp Scampi, frozen
• 1/2 cup cayenne pepper sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot Sauce)
• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/4 c sour cream
• 5 oz crumbled blue cheese (about ½ cup)
• Dash of garlic salt
• 2 Tablespoons milk, plus extra if desired

SAUTÉ shrimp scampi in a large skillet for 7 minutes.

While shrimp are cooking MIX cream cheese, sour cream, blue cheese crumbles, a dash of garlic salt and milk together in a bowl to make blue cheese dipping sauce. If desired add a little extra milk to make a thinner dipping sauce.

PLACE blue cheese dip in refrigerator until ready to serve.

ADD red hot pepper sauce to skillet with shrimp and stir well to incorporate.  SAUTE for another 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are fully cooked.

SERVE buffalo shrimp hot with blue cheese dipping sauce on the side.