Jim's Best of the Best

Aunt Merry’s Crab Dip-The Best Ever Appetizer

This is the perfect companion dish anytime. Easy to prepare, and the more often you make it, the quicker you’ll know the steps.  It was always  a family favorite at Ron and Merry’s Christmas gatherings.  I make it a couple of hours ahead of time to chill thoroughly. As an appetizer, the recipe size is adjustable from a half recipe serving for 3-4 people or doubled up for dozens of .hungry guests.
My personal preference is imitation crab, because of the ease of preparation and easy to find in the stores.  Adding additional herbs or crunchy vegetables like water chestnuts and a hot sauce are ideas I’ve been given, but never tried. The crunch of the crackers was satisfying enough and the cocktail sauce and made with horseradish seemed to have plenty of zing. But if you’re feeling creative, embellish however you like. Try it this way at least once. You will love it.!!!
Here is what I consider to be the “best of the best” crab dip recipes:

Preparation Time:

3 hours including softening the cream cheese at room temperature and chilling the mixture after made. Takes about  1/2 hour shredding crab, dicing scallions, blending the mixture together and spreading it on a serving dish.

Ingredients

(1) 8 oz softened cream cheese
(1-1/2) Tbsp Hellmann’s Best Brands  Mayonnaise (Hellmann’s is tried and true)
(1) Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
(1) Tsp Soy Sauce
(1) Lb Shredded Imitation Crab (if using real crab add 1 tsp white sugar per pound)
(1) Small Bunch of scallions (green onions) Diced ¼ inch and added to taste
(1) 8-12 ounce bottle cocktail/seafood sauce
(1) Box Sociables Crackers

Step by Step Instructions

In a two to four quart bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the mayonnaise;
Add the Worcestershire and soy sauces and blend thoroughly.
Spoon in the shredded crab and add diced scallions. Mix with a large spoon or fork. Spread the mixture in a shallow dish.  I’ve used 9 inch pie plates the smaller recipes;  or large 14 inch round hors d’oeuvre festive Holiday platters for larger gatherings.
Chill for 1-2  hours.

Just before serving, top with cocktail sauce. Serve with crackers.

Variations:

Can be made as a half recipe by reducing ingredients in half, or double in size for larger groups.  I’d suggest having extra crackers on hand. One box doesn’t seem quite enough
Original recipe called for Sociables Crackers, but suitable substitutes are Pepperidge Farms Trios or Kellogg’s Toasteds.

 

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