Hot Artichoke Crab Dip

I thought about this recipe all weekend. I knew it was going to be pricier than my average meal, but once we started talking about crab dip, I just had to get my fix.

I wanted to make it a mixer recipe, but the directions didn't call for use of a mixer. Mr. V remembered however that at the restaurant they whipped the crab meat before adding it. (FYI...I think you could just as easily skip this step)

This meal was a LOT of work. You could make it a little easier by buying pre-quartered artichokes, minced garlic and pre-shredded cheese. But it was so worth it. We sat down to eat and the smell just made us groan with pleasure. Mr V took one bite and started to grin. At first I thought he was laughing because I seriously goofed something up, but he said 'Some foods are so good they just make you smile to eat them' I have now been declared 'Master Chef' which is a pretty high compliment from someone who cooks for a living!

Ingredients:  yield 4 or 5 servings
adapted from allrecipe's crab meat sycamore

1 6oz can lump crab meat, drained
11oz of quartered canned artichokes (3/4 of a can with enough left over for a pizza)
8oz shredded Swiss cheese (I don't care for Swiss, but go for it!)
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon shy of 1 cup cream
1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
salt and pepper
Italian breadcrumbs
sweet paprika

Serve with lemon wedges and slices of French bread





Equipment: 

Saucepan
Whisk
5 Ramekins (or a 9in casserole dish) on a cookie sheet











Directions:

• Whip the crab with the whisk attachment (optional)

• Layer the artichoke pieces in a solid layer over the bottom of your bake-ware

 

• Evenly spread the crab meat over the artichokes

• Completely fill your baking dish with shredded Swiss (don't pack too tight or the sauce won't run through later)

• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low
• Add the garlic to the butter while it's melting
• Whisk in the flour until smooth
• Slowly whisk in the cream and stir until just starting to thicken (if it gets too thick you can add a couple tablespoons of milk until it's a pouring consistency)
• Mix in the hot sauce, Worcestershire, parsley and salt & pepper

• Pour over the shredded Swiss cheese, using a fork to poke holes in the cheese if you need to
• Top with bread crumbs & paprika
• Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes until bubbly

Cost:

Artichokes	2.68
Crab	1.78
Swiss Cheese	1.75
Cream	0.98
Flour/Butter/spices/breadcrumbs	0.25
	7.44		$1.48 per serv.