dip – Tia Maria's Blog

Spicy Hot Piri Piri Shrimp Dip

Piri Piri is a hot sauce with Portuguese origins since it was the explorers who introduced the peppers to Africa. The name of the pepper derives form Swahili for “pepper pepper”, also know as peri peri, African birdseye Chili, or African Devil. Curry was created in India by the influence of the Portuguese who brought the peppers to the Goa region.

There are many recipes for the hot sauce but common ingredients are chilli peppers, olive oil, garlic, salt and lemon. It is a relative to the Tabasco chile. In this recipe, you can spice it up using either piri piri or tabasco sauce.

Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups of small cooked shrimp (finely chopped)

one 8 oz package cream cheese (soft)

1 small stalk of celery (chopped)

1 scallion or 1/4 cup chopped onion (finely chopped)

2/3 cup of mayonnaise

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 to 2 teaspoons piri piri sauce or any sauce

pinch of salt

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Preparation:

Place all ingredients except the cheese and the shrimp in a blender and pulse a few times until the vegetables are finely minced.

Add the shrimp, mix well, taste and add more hot sauce if desired. Place in a small oven proof dish, spread cheese over the dip and cook at 375 for about 10-15 until the cheese is melted.

Serve with vegetables or any favorite crackers.

Appetizers / Main Dish / Photo Gallery / Side Dish / soup / Soups

April 3, 2014

Black Eyed Peas & Corn Succotash – Sopa de Feijao Frade com Milho

Black-eyed peas are very popular in Portugal and typically served with Bacalhau (dried salt Cod), stews, soups and in cold salads.

In the southern region of the Unites States, the dish “Hoppin John” is made with the peas, rice and pork.

This recipe for Succotash, (Narragansett language meaning; broken corn kernels) originates in the southern New England States.

This is a hearty chowder for your meatless days or perfect as a dip! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 large potatoes (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)

1 and 1/2 cups of frozen corn

1 and 1/2 cups of cooked Black Eyed Peas

1 medium onion (finely chopped)

1 stalk of celery (finely chopped)

2 cloves garlic (finely minced)

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 tablespoons of butter or margarine

1/2 gallon of milk

1 pint of cream

2 bay leafs

2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon of pepper

2 tablespoons of flour

Instructions:

In a large heavy soup pan, saute the onion, garlic, celery, and potatoes in the the olive oil and butter for about 5 minutes. Add the salt, pepper, bay leaf, and the broth and cook for another 5 minutes.

Add the black eyed peas and corn and cook for 5 minutes.

In a small bowl mix the flour with the cream until it is dissolved. Add the milk and the cream to the soup and cook on low heat for at least 20 minutes stirring continuously until the soup is creamy and thick.

Add more milk for a lighter soup or add more flour for a thicker chowder. You can also use an immersion blender to puree the vegetables into smaller pieces.