Creamy Crab Dip Served in a Crusty Bread Bowl

The other day I was perusing the contents of my fridge, looking for something I could stuff my face with (and wasn't finding anything to my liking), when I came across a very overlooked little gem. Leftovers! Yes, I know, I hate leftovers too, something about reheating the gooey, gelatinous, mess just screams "vomit" to my taste buds. BUT, in this case, as long as they are fresh, they are tasty!

In this case, I had some Snow Crab Legs and was feeling creative. I decided to make them into a creamy dip to serve with crackers. (and it evolved later into a bread bowl) Listed below is what I used to make it and how I made the dip, but you should take your own inspirations to make this dip catered to your own taste buds!

1. First, let's start with Preparation:

You'll need

- 12-16oz Cream Cheese, softened

- Crab meat

- 3/4 cup Onion, diced

- 1 Round Loaf of Bread

- Spices to taste:

-----[I used Parsley, Old Bay, Basil, Garlic Salt, Seafood Seasoning,

Cajun Seasoning, and a pinch of Cayenne Pepper]

  

2. Next, I took the cream cheese and spooned about 12 oz into a large bowl. I mixed it with two spoons, trying to help it soften. Let sit on counter to soften more. I worked on the next step during this waiting period. It needed about 20-30 minutes to soften enough to use.

3. While the cream cheese is softening, I took the crab legs and rinsed them off. I took them to the table and began to crack them open and extract the yummy goodness, I mean meat, from within.

4. This is about how much crab came from 1 and half claws. (approx. 1 cup of shredded crab meat)

***If you want to store it in the fridge at this point, I would recommend that you

sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice into the bowl and cover it with saran wrap.

It will help keep the crab from turning brown or losing moisture.***

5. I chopped up about a third of a white onion (3/4 cup). Mix into Meat.

6. NOW, Prepare to MIX:

7. Mix about half of your Meat Mix into Cream Cheese. Blend. Dump in the rest, and continue blending.

***I found that if you add a splash of milk (maybe 1-2 Tbs)

it will make it smoother and creamier***

8. Add Spices to Taste. Blend/Stir well.

*I used the most Boston Bay Seafood seasoning*

9. After the dip is mixed to your liking, I covered and put in fridge to chill.

10. Preparing Bread Bowl: (This is the link I used to learn about them: How-To: Bread Bowls)

10a. Using a small serrated knife (I used steak knife), cut lid off bread loaf.

10b. Cut an upside down cone shape into bowl.

10c. From here I simply ripped chunks of bread out to hollow it.

11. Spoon Dip into Bread Bowl, Garnish and serve with the bread you pulled out or crackers!

12. ENJOY!!!

 

Please let me know how you liked it, if you changed anything, what you would recommend, or any advice you can offer.

And as always, feel free to leave requests for future projects.

 -Shell