Louisiana Baked Crab Dip

Is there a bigger party than Mardi Gras? It's so big it spills out into the streets! While I won't be there in person I can still participate in spirit and this year my contribution will be Louisiana Baked Crab Dip. Creamy, crabby and can be served with anything you'd like for scooping. Oh and, if you can't wait until Mardi Gras on February 17th to try it, I think bringing this dip to a Super Bowl Party would make you very popular too:@)

I made a half batch and my changes are listed below as optional, but the major ones were: I used a 6oz can of crab meat and yellow onion. 

I think the green onion would have been a pretty addition and shook in a little dried parsley for color.

You may have noticed I added the ~ever popular~ jalapeno label, yep, I think it would be great in this dip:@)

Two other fun appy ideas:

Mardi Gras Dyed Deviled Eggs and Muffaletta Bruschetta

In case you're kinda new to hot sauce and curious about what brand to buy... I have several bottles of hot sauce in the kitchen at all times, 

but my absolute favorite 'go to' bottle is Crystal's. It has a little heat, a little zing and pucker from vinegar and a little salty bite... 

It's a nice balanced sauce I've used on everything from scrabbled eggs to Bloody Marys to... crab dip.

Louisiana Baked Crab Dip-adapted from myrecipes.com
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 C mayonnaise
1/4 C Parmesan, grated
3 Tblsp green onion (white and green parts), minced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tblsp lemon juice
1 tsp hot sauce
1/2 tsp Old Bay Seasoning
S&P to taste
1/2 lb jumbo lump crab meat, picked through-I used a 6 oz can drained very well
A few shakes of dried parsley for color-optional
Panko crumbs for topping-optional-but highly recommended
Smoked paprika for sprinkling on top-optional-but highly recommended
Additional hot sauce for serving

1. Mix everything up to the crab meat. Gently fold in crab meat.
2. Spread into a baking dish (I used a 5" dish for a half batch) and bake at 325 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until golden on top.
3. Serve hot (I prefered it more towards room temperature) with crackers, chips, bread or veggies and extra hot sauce.

Party like you mean it and have a happy day:@)

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