Crab Fondue

By dkanon

Ingredients

• 18 ounces (3 6-oz packages) cream cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon mustard (yellow or Dijon)
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar (or 1 Tbsp corn starch if you want to skip the sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1-2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning (or paprika with a little ground ginger and cayenne)
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup dry white wine or dry sherry (optional)
• 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 3/4 lb to 1 lb of lump crab meat, fresh or canned
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion greens, chives, or parsley
• Day old French or Italian loaf bread (best not fresh or will fall apart when dipped), cubed into 1-inch cubes

Preparation

Step 1

Slowly heat the cream cheese, mayo, powdered sugar, garlic powder, Old Bay, lemon zest, and mustard in a double boiler until the cheese is completely melted. (If you don't have a double boiler, fill a saucepan a third of the way with water and bring to a boil, place a metal bowl over the saucepan. This will work as a double boiler.)

Slowly stir in the wine and lemon juice (adjust quantities to taste and desired consistency). Slowly stir in the crab meat and onion greens.

To serve, transfer to a heated chafing dish or fondue pot to keep warm. Present with bread cubes and forks for dipping.

Yield: Serves 8.