Here’s a delicious recipe for a creamy shrimp and crab spinach dip. This dip is perfect for parties or as an appetizer for a special meal.
### Creamy Shrimp and Crab Spinach Dip
#### Ingredients:
– **8 oz cream cheese, softened**
– **1 cup sour cream**
– **1 cup mayonnaise**
– **1 cup grated Parmesan cheese**
– **1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese**
– **1 cup cooked shrimp, chopped**
– **1 cup lump crab meat**
– **1 package (10 oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained**
– **3 cloves garlic, minced**
– **1/2 cup finely chopped onion**
– **1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper (red or green)**
– **1 tsp Worcestershire sauce**
– **1 tsp lemon juice**
– **1/2 tsp hot sauce (optional)**
– **Salt and pepper to taste**
– **1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley**
#### Instructions:
1. **Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).**
2. **Prepare the Spinach:**
– Thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. Set aside.
3. **Cook the Shrimp:**
– If using raw shrimp, cook them in a pan over medium heat until pink and opaque. Let them cool slightly, then chop into small pieces.
4. **Mix the Base:**
– In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth and well combined.
5. **Add Cheese and Flavorings:**
– Stir in the Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic, chopped onion, chopped bell pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, hot sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until everything is well incorporated.
6. **Fold in Seafood and Spinach:**
– Gently fold in the chopped shrimp, crab meat, and thawed spinach until evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
7. **Bake the Dip:**
– Transfer the mixture to a baking dish (a 9-inch pie dish or an 8×8 inch baking dish works well). Smooth the top with a spatula.
– Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
8. **Garnish and Serve:**
– Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.
– Serve warm with tortilla chips, toasted baguette slices, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks.
Enjoy your creamy shrimp and crab spinach dip!