Crab and Cheese Spread

Tis the season for meeting dear friends, enjoying the warmth of their familiarity, being together to celebrate joys of life. This group has met over the year, a camaraderie of like minded folk, a requisite in these troubled times. I have offered to make an appetizer for Colleen's holiday dinner. This spread is a quick way to use either crab meat or shrimp if you prefer them. I choose the former. 

Onion, chiles, lemongrass, ginger, garlic and tomato paste are blended into a coarse paste. Sauteed in a little olive oil, the paste takes on a darker hue. Precious cream cheese is added. Precious you ask? There is a shortage or cream cheese in the United States, so I use it only for loved ones! Cilantro, mayo and lemon juice round off the spread. Crackers, my vehicle of choice, are wedged alongside!

CRAB AND CHEESE SPREAD

Serves 6-8

1/2 Red Onion

2 Green Chiles

1 Lemongrass stalk

4 Garlic cloves

1" Ginger

2 tablespoons Tomato Paste

1/3 cup Water

2 tablespoons Olive Oil

1 cup cooked Crab Meat

1/3 cup Cream Cheese

2 teaspoons Mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Cilantro 

Lemon Juice

Crackers

Chop onion, chiles, garlic and ginger finely.

Trim lemongrass. Remove outer rough layer. Use only the bottom 3" of tender stalk. Cut into thin slices.

Blend onion, chiles, garlic, ginger, lemongrass and tomato paste with water, till pulpy.

Heat oil in a saucepan. 

Add paste to oil and saute constantly for 10 minutes till paste turns a deep maroon. 

Add cream cheese, mayo, salt and stir well to mix. 

Take pan off the flame and allow the residual heat to melt the cheese. 

Gently fold in crab meat. 

Add cilantro and squirts of lemon juice. 

Mix and plop on to a platter. 

Arrange crackers around the spread and enjoy.

This is a rather superior version of crab by a long shot! We surprise ourselves with repeated slatherings. Col eats some in place of her dinner! Another delicious way to spread the love!

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