Pot lucks often offer very predictable fare. You may have eaten your share of tortilla chips and salsa or spinach dips. For something your guests or hosts may not expect, consider one of numerous crab dip recipes available on-line or in found recipe books. These dips offer a versatile option because they can be rich, light, spicy or even gluten-free.
If you think serving crab may be a risk, perhaps start with your cheapest option. Both imitation and canned crab meat can be available inexpensively. Imitation crab tastes and feels very different from the real thing. If your children like the taste of the canned meat better, progressing to real, fresh crab from a supplier of fresh seafood will then be justified.
Once you choose the crab that your family enjoys best, decide on a hot or cold recipe. Cold dips make great summer meals for light eating or a pot luck supper. Use this as a luscious alternative to hot dogs and hamburgers or the regular picnic sandwiches you might have otherwise made using peanut butter and jelly or egg salad. Add your crab dip to an otherwise boring salad.
If your chosen recipe ends up in the oven, the flavor of real crab may survive better. A hot crab dip will work especially well if you are the host, since you can keep the dish warm and fill your house with a heady aroma of seafood mixed with cheese, herbs and other tasty additions. Whatever option you choose, remember that imitation crab can be quite salty. Keep this in mind before you season your dip.
For a rich and creamy crab dip, try a recipe which incorporates cream cheese and cheddar cheese. This will give you a thick consistency. Lighter dips for the heath-conscious eater may use sour cream or plain yogurt. Find a compromise between the two with quark, a dairy product something between thick yogurt and cream cheese.
Add to the basic flavors of crab and dairy with spice or herbs. Some cream cheeses and hard cheeses now available come already flavored with garlic, onions or herbs. You might even want to combine crab with other seafood, such as shrimp. Salmon flavored cream cheese may give you some ideas and could combine nicely with some lemon and dill. Top with almonds, more shredded cheese, a sprinkle of paprika, or use your imagination.
Hot dips come in two styles. One takes the simple cold dip and merely heats this up, thus melting any cheese in the recipe either within or on top of the dip and releasing more of the aromas. Other baked options mix in eggs and flour, creating more of a casserole style dip.
Presentation makes up a big part of the dining experience. No matter how your child mixes the food on his plate, he wants the food to look good when you serve it to him. Try filling scooped-out bread rolls with your dip or small hollowed-out tomatoes. Do not waste the tomato, but add this in to the dip. Use chips or vegetables such celery, carrots or cauliflower to eat your dip. Top wit colorful cheese, a sprinkle of paprika or some lemon or lime wedges. Cut through the richness of this meat or the thick dairy base of your dip with a crisp drink offering the balance of citrus. Wines such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer or some Chardonnays pair nicely with seafood. For children or adults who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, consider lemon tea or citrus-flavored soft drink.
Want to offer your friends a treat at your next get together? You will want to know more about crab dip recipes. There are a number of crab recipes available. This article, Crab Dip Recipes: Dip Into The Bounty Of The Sea is available for free reprint.
