Cheesy Crab and Jalapeño Dip
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This cheesy crab and jalapeño dip is a huge crowd pleaser, easy to prepare, and can be made ahead of time then baked at the last minute.
Have you ever had the following conversation with your husband or roommate?
Scotch: “Hey! We’ve been invited over to {insert friend’s name here} for drinks.”
Me: “That’s great! But we need to bring our own food.”
Scotch: “What?”
Me: “They never serve any food. Oh wait, hold on. Yes, last time I got a buttered roll. Not exactly my idea of snack food for cocktail hour.”
Scotch: {Rolls eyes.}
I can’t help it. I think about food a lot. Even more so when I am drinking. I like snacking on cheese, charcuterie, pate, any type of tapas, dim sum… Just give me some good food. Not a buttered roll, please. Unless it’s fancy salted French butter served on soft homemade fresh bread straight out of the oven.
So I have a few recipes that I can whip up quickly to bring over to someone’s house – whether for cocktail hour, a play date or a book club meeting.
And this crab and jalapeño dip is one of my favorites. In fact, I sometimes can’t help it and serve myself larger helpings than I should instead of saving to share with others.
Now I wish there was a Costco in Dubai to buy jumbo crab meat from as fresh crab meat isn’t always available and when it is available, it’s soooo expensive. I’ve tried a couple of canned alternatives but they all suck (too stringy or too much cartilage) except for the canned crab meat from John West. The crab is in nice chunks, not too small, no unwelcome bits of cartilage (so far), and the taste is just like crab. I think it retails for 20 dhs ($6) a can.
As for the cheese, I have experimented with many different combinations (Monterrey, Emmental, Gruyere) but found that you can’t go wrong with a good cheddar.
My recipe does not use fresh jalapeños but the pickled ones in a jar. In a pinch, you can substitute cayenne pepper but I tried that once and just didn’t like it as much. I like tasting the jalapeño’s in random bites. You know, surprise!
Finally, please use a good mayonnaise. Why use a luxury ingredient like crab meat only to use inferior tasting mayo. Or low fat (unless your low fat is, like, better than full fat – in that case, definitely drop me a message and let me know which brand it is).
Personally, I love Hellmann’s brand mayo but not the stuff that’s sold here in Dubai which is produced locally and tastes like cardboard. I actually bring a Costco-sized container (64-oz!) of Hellman’s mayo back every summer and that will usually last me half the year until someone else from the States visits and replenishes my stock. Yes, that is nearly 2 kg of mayo in a jar but a lot of it goes into making dips for parties…
Now make this for your next get-together and please invite me over 🙂 .
Enjoy!
Cheesy Crab and Jalapeño Dip
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound (450g) jumbo lump crab meat or 2 cans John West crab chunks
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups (8 oz, 226g) cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (reserve about 2 Tb for sprinkling on top)
- 1/4 cup jalapeño slices from a jar/can , drained and diced (adjust amout to your desired spiciness)
- 2 bunch green onions , chopped, optional
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For serving - sliced French bread , table crackers, etc
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients (except 2 Tb Parmesan) until thoroughly mixed.
- Transfer dip to an oven-safe serving bowl and sprinkle remaining Parmesan on top.
- Bake for about 25 minutes in the middle rack until golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve hot with crackers or sliced French bread or whatever suits your fancy.
Notes
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This looks very yummy! And I like the combination of cheese and jalapeno.
me too! I love anything with a spice. wish my kids would too.
This dip is speaking to me… Very cool that you’re living in Dubai — and I love the Hellman’s and Costco mention. I am constantly at Costco.
I’m constantly at Costco too when I’m visiting my parents over the summer. I find it hard not to want to buy everything from electronics to books to food…
Hahaha! I hear ya about thinking about food! I’m usually thinking about lunch when I’m eating breakfast! 😉 Not only that, but I love a good dip and this one looks amazing! Love the blend of flavors you used! 🙂
Yes, food always on the mind! I just wish I could eat as much as I used to and still stay slim.
Oh wow this looks pretty amazing, I am exactly the same I think about food far too much and if we go anywhere I am normally thinking what we will get to eat?? I love how thick and gooey the cheese looks on this dip.
Yes, thick and gooey – perfect for dipping 🙂
Love your idea of bringing a dip along to meals. I usually make a dessert or chocolates, but I might have to think again now.
I don’t have much of a sweet tooth so always end up with a savory item to bring. And it ensures I don’t starve 😉
Crab is one of my hubby’s favorite meat. Cant imagine how much he would love this dip. Looks so very delicious 🙂
I hope you get a chance to make this for your husband!
I’m going to try this for sure. Looks refreshingly delish!
I hope you do get to make this dish 🙂
This is the perfect dip to bring/take over – wanna come by my house with it? 🙂
Sure! Any chance I get to make and eat this dish is a good day.
Your brand of canned crab looks great! I would also use tortilla chips to dip into here…
Tortilla chips is a good idea too. In the photo, I am using garlic SunChips.
I don’t eat crab enough and this reminds me just how tasty it is! The canned crab looks very good too.
Yes, I was pleased to find a viable canned crab option here in Dubai.
That really looks so so good. I’d not share it and keep it all for me, possibly eat al with a spoon, of dollop into a jacket potato? Hellmann’s recently changed their recipe here and it really is not quite as good sadly.
Mmm, dollop onto jacket potato – what a great idea! Oh no! How could they change their recipe on me? I’ll have to do a taste test when I’m home in New York this summer.
This looks divine! It’s a must try!!
It is definitely divine in my book 🙂