Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Trader Tuesdays: Crab Dip

So this morning's Trader Tuesday offering is based on the wonderfulness of the little guy on the right in this picture:
Many brands of crockpot come with this kind of mini version and when it comes to warm dips for parties, there is nothing better! In addition, I have never taken ours to a party where someone didn't comment on how ADORABLE it was, so.. you know... that's a bonus.

So in honour of the mini crock pot, here's my recipe for crab dip, which I took from the Company's Coming 3-in-1 Entertaining Book.

8 oz softened cream cheese
1 Tbsps of dry white wine (I have used apple cider vinegar before, which is nice.)
2 Tbsps of mayonnaise
1/4 tsp of prepared mustard
2 tsp of dried onion
salt to taste
1 can of crab meat, drained, with cartilage removed

Place first 6 ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat well. Fold crab meat into mixture until combined. Heat in a double boiler over simmer water until heated through.

Et Voila! Into the ADORABLE mini crock pot it goes! I have found that when I take this to parties, it does need to be stirred every once in a while to keep from getting dry around the edges of the pot.

I usually make my own pita chips to accompany this dip. Cut whole pitas into eighths. (Scissors is easiest.) Separate each piece along the fold to make two thin pieces. Lay the pieces out on a baking sheet with the outside facing up. Spray with vegetable oil and then sprinkle with a mixture of spices to suit you. I use salt, pepper, garlic and paprika, but you could add cayenne if you wanted something spicier, or nutmeg if you wanted something sweeter, etc. Bake until crispy, about 10-12 minutes at 350F. A whole bag of pitas makes about four trays worth of chips, definitely enough for a party!

5 comments:

Crimson Rambler said...

you could also use any of those excellent flavoured vinegars that we tend to receive in big lavish Christmas baskets!
(actually I was hoping for the BIG crockpot full of crab dip, the better to fall into, face first)

Mandy said...

I LOVE YOU CHORUS


crab and cream cheese is my FAV .... AND AND AND I just bought one of those mini crock pots .. I jsut bought one at Target for about $10!!

we have company this weekend and all of those ingrediants in the pantry:)

also, I had no idea that is how to make pita chips.. so thanks for that too!!

Annie's Mom said...

YAY! Glad I was able to help!!

Julie said...

Crab dip is one of my favorites! And I agree with Crimson that a BIG crockpot full would be better!

Jan said...

This sounds so good. I have some frozen dungeness crab in my freezer--waiting for the right recipe!