Meet your new favorite appetizer! Go beyond the typical shrimp cocktail with this creamy, delicious snack. The feta dill filling comes together in minutes, and you can assemble these succulent bites the night before. I love the contrasting tastes and textures of these delightful shrimp, which add a festive touch to your holiday parties.

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried dill
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds large raw shrimp
Fresh dill sprigs, for garnish (optional)
Cocktail sauce (optional)

1. In a bowl, mix cream cheese and feta cheese until well blended. Stir in the lemon juice, dill, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Chill mixture 1 hour.

2. Remove shrimp shells, leaving the tails on. Cut a slit down the length of the outside curve of each shrimp and devein.

3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add shrimp and cook 90 seconds or until they turn pink and are fully cooked inside. Drain shrimp, rinse under cold water and pat dry.

4. Transfer the cheese mixture to a pastry bag or a plastic sandwich bag with a corner of the bag snipped off. Pipe the cream cheese and feta cheese mixture into the slit of each shrimp.

5. Arrange on a platter and chill 1 hour. Garnish with fresh dill and serve with cocktail sauce, if desired.

Serves 6.