Double the cheese, a bunch of the crab, none of the crabbiness, all of the tastiness. That’s what this dip is all about!
Wait, is that a children’s song? I don’t remember. My mind is too preoccupied with party things and my mouth is too full of this cheesy crab dip to think about it too much.
You see, my newborn, my baby girl, the one I gave birth to, you know, like, two weeks ago? She’s almost a year old. In T-minus less than a month, I will be throwing her first birthday party. There will be balloons and flowers and colorful pom pom decorations and banners and a cake and appetizers like this dip and also maybe a lot of tears from yours truly over the fact that she’s turning one and I don’t know how to deal. At least there will be cake and this crab dip (and probably some vino, WHO CAN SAY) to help me out.
I almost hesitated to share this recipe with you because it reveals one of my secret food loves that I should probably be ashamed of, and that is imitation crab meat. I know it’s not for everyone, but I LOVE IT. Like a lot a lot. I mix it with mayo and seasonings and put it on a roll with butter lettuce and devour it on the semi-regular, and I’ve been looking for other excuses/ways to eat it. Behold, double cheese crab dip.
I’ll save my love stories of Velveeta mac and cheese and day-old popcorn for another day.
Of course, I know imitation crab meat isn’t for everyone, so you are more than welcome to use canned crab meat in the recipe, or swap the crab thing entirely for shredded chicken, ground beef or black beans. Really, most anything goes well with a combination of cream cheese, salsa and shredded cheese. Just be sure you have a boatload of tortilla chips at the ready when this comes out of the oven all bubbly and hot, gooey and cheesy. Because if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to wait longer than approximately threeve seconds to dig in.
My little one’s first birthday, however? That I can wait a bit longer for. While I am so excited to throw a party for her (it’ll be a small family one, but nevertheless I’m imagining epic fun times ahead with decorations and a hot pink frilly dress for the birthday girl and the glorious food spread, of course), I’m also in total denial that a year has passed already. I have been told time and time again by those who have gone before me that the days are long but the years are short… and you guys, it’s so very true. So I try to treasure every millisecond I have with my babe before she’s grown and off to college.
One day, probably sooner than I realize, she’ll be enjoying imitation crab meat sandwiches and cheesy crab dip right along with me, maybe even helping me in the kitchen to prepare them and I’ll look over at her and be all, “YOU WERE A YEAR OLD JUST YESTERDAY,” and then I’ll probably cry again and she’ll roll her eyes and tell me to calm down and stop being so embarrassing. It’ll be great.
But I digress. For today, I’m going to think about dunking my face I mean, a bunch o’ chips into this delish dip situation. I recommend you do the same.
7-Layer Crab Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup salsa, choose your spice level!
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 8 ounces imitation crab meat , or canned crab meat (drained & picked through)
- 1 cup Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- thyme leaves, for garnish
- tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread softened cream cheese evenly in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate.
- In a small bowl, combine salsa and chili powder. Pour mixture evenly over cream cheese. Top evenly with crab meat, then sprinkle with shredded cheese and black olives.
- Bake 20 minutes until mixture is bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
What a fast year! Ah I’m just like you and already heartbroken about how fast the weeks and months go by. Can’t wait to see pictures of your party, though!
Carol — Fun! Congrats on the name change and new site! And yes, vino and mimosas will both likely be happening. 😉
Oh my gosh, how sweet! A first birthday!! That is so special (: Your daughter is very lucky to have a beautiful and talented mama! This crab dip looks divine. I could polish off an entire bowl right now – I’m sure of it!
Oops forgot to mention—I don’t normally talk about ME, but please make note of the slight name change from Wild Goose Tea. New web design too—whoopee and adding some new features.
Crap—not I didn’t misspell Crab—your baby’s going to be a year!!!! Where did that year go????
I like fake crab in dishes like this—-sandwiches—-etc. Not trying to fool anyone. It’s just another form of fish. This is delish!!!! Well heck yes, you have to have Vino or mimosas????
My Mom has food allergy with crab. But I always remember the crab dishes she made for us. I’ll show her this recipe for sure.
Awww she is turning 1 already!! Ahhh she is growing up! I understand the need for bowls and bowls of this! Cheesy goodness. PS: Love your article on work/mama balance you shared today!
Carla — Oh my word, your mother is amazing. I need to ask mine to do that for me next time I’m in town.
If you won’t share your love for day old popcorn, then I will. It’s gotten to the point where if my
Mum knows I’m coming for a visit she makes me a batch the day before, covers it with salt and butter and then hides it from my Dad. I love her for it.
Back to the post. This looks fantastic and anything that gets gooey cheese onto tortilla chips and into my mouth is a winner.
PS happy almost birthday to your little one.