My Food and Drink Blog

Introducing your family to seafood can be risky. Many fish cook up into strong flavors which put young palates off. Some shoppers cannot access fresh fish easily. Meanwhile, crab dip recipes offer cooks the chance to experiment with varying crab styles and combinations with other flavors to satisfy the preferences of picky eaters.

If you think serving crab may be a risk, perhaps start with your cheapest option. Both imitation and canned crab meat can be available inexpensively. Imitation crab tastes and feels very different from the real thing. If your children like the taste of the canned meat better, progressing to real, fresh crab from a supplier of fresh seafood will then be justified.

You then need to find a recipe for cold or hot dip. Cold dips often use canned crab meat, making them idea for children. Choose or adapt according to what your child can do in the kitchen.

Hot dips will likely require older hands to get involved, so fresh crab may work well here. Fresh crab needs to be cooked anyway. Pre-cooked or imitation crab might send out overwhelming aromas or canned crab may become overdone when cooked, while the mild flavor of fresh crab will blend in nicely with other ingredients producing inviting smells.

For a rich and creamy crab dip, try a recipe which incorporates cream cheese and cheddar cheese. This will give you a thick consistency. Lighter dips for the heath-conscious eater may use sour cream or plain yogurt. Find a compromise between the two with quark, a dairy product something between thick yogurt and cream cheese.

Add to the basic flavors of crab and dairy with spice or herbs. Some cream cheeses and hard cheeses now available come already flavored with garlic, onions or herbs. You might even want to combine crab with other seafood, such as shrimp. Salmon flavored cream cheese may give you some ideas and could combine nicely with some lemon and dill. Top with almonds, more shredded cheese, a sprinkle of paprika, or use your imagination.

Cooked dips send their aroma throughout a house, so if you want to get your kids to the table consider one of these. This also provides the chance to create other visual effects and textures, such as melted and slightly crispy cheese on top or a gratin finish. Dips which use eggs and flour come out with a bread-like quality, providing a meal in themselves.

Presentation makes up a big part of the dining experience. No matter how your child mixes the food on his plate, he wants the food to look good when you serve it to him. Try filling scooped-out bread rolls with your dip or small hollowed-out tomatoes. Do not waste the tomato, but add this in to the dip. Use chips or vegetables such celery, carrots or cauliflower to eat your dip. Top wit colorful cheese, a sprinkle of paprika or some lemon or lime wedges. Cut through the richness of this meat or the thick dairy base of your dip with a crisp drink offering the balance of citrus. Wines such as Riesling, Gewurztraminer or some Chardonnays pair nicely with seafood. For children or adults who prefer a non-alcoholic beverage, consider lemon tea or citrus-flavored soft drink.

Want to offer your guests a treat at your next gathering? You will need to learn more about crab dip recipes. There are a number of crab recipes available.

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