Watson Family Shrimp Dip

Being a retailer and shopkeeper, Thanksgiving feels like ages ago, but in reality I know it was only a week ago. I have had this recipe in the line-up for a post since then, but kept forgetting about it until this morning. Today is the day. This is a family recipe so let me give you some background on it. I truly can’t remember a family gathering where shrimp dip was not included. Every holiday this was part of the tradition. It has been many, many years since I have made it, but last Thursday, Thanksgiving, was when I whipped up a batch. It is so simple, and so tasty–it brings me right back to my childhood.

Take two 8 ounce blocks of cream cheese and leave out until soft. These really need to be soft to make this easy to mix. Once soft, put into a mixing bowl. I use a KitchenAid mixer, my sister uses a hand held mixer. Either is totally fine. Add two 4 ounce cans of tiny shrimp after you have drained them thoroughly. Fresh cooked shrimp is fine here too. My mom always used the canned shrimp, so I try and make it just as she did so the flavor/memory is just the same. Then add 6 dashes of Worcestershire sauce. As well as a two teaspoons of garlic powder. Add a few pinches of fresh ground pepper. Start mixing these all together, adding whole milk as you go, until you get the desired consistency you like. Our Mother likes it creamier, my sister & I like it firmer. Once done, give it a taste and see if you want to add more Worcestershire sauce or garlic powder. That is it.

Serve with the best potato chips you can get your hands on. My brother’s name is Tim, so we always try and serve it with those. Crackers are fab too, as are slices of baguette. This really just takes me back to my youth and Midwest roots. It is amazing how food and tastes and flavors can do just that.