SANDRA'S CREAMY CLAM DIP with LIGHT RYE WASA CRACKERS

A very, very satisfying and tasty
clam dip that you're 
bound to adore...

Servings: (6 to 8)
Prep: 5 Mins. |
Stand time: 15 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

1 (8 oz.pkg.) cream cheese, at room temperature
½ cup sour cream
1 (6.5 oz. can) minced clams (I prefer Snows)
----drained (while reserving some juice depending upon desired consistency)
¼ teaspoon seasoning salt (I prefer Johnny’s Seasoning Salt)
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon old bay seasoning
½ teaspoon worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ teaspoon paprika

--Garnish with 1 teaspoon freshly chopped Italian parsley

--1 pkg. of wasa light rye crackers (see photograph)

METHOD

Place cream cheese and sour cream in a medium bowl; whisking until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients, except parsley, and continue to whisk until combined. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes for flavors to meld. Check consistency, adding more clam juice if desired, and place Clam Dip in a smaller decorative serving bowl, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.  Place in center of a large platter, and line outer parameter with light rye wasa crackers, including a few table knives for spreading Clam Dip on crackers. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips: You can also make this into a crab dip by replacing 8 oz. of broken lump crab for the clams. Also, many people love to eat this Clam Dip with ruffle potato chips, and it gets tastier the next day.

BAKED SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP

A perfect hot dip to serve on game day, 
at a festive occasion, 
or just because...

Serves: (4 to 6)
Prep: 5 Mins. |
Bake: 20 Mins.

Posted: by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

4 oz. cream cheese, at room temp.

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided

1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon lemon juice

fine-grain kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 (6.5 oz. jar) marinated and quartered artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

1 (9 oz. pkg.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed to drain (I chop it a bit more)

2 green onions, sliced

1 tablespoon jarred roasted bell peppers, chopped

1 teaspoon old bay seasoning

½ teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon dried parsley

--Toasted baguette slices and/or assorted crackers

METHOD

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 1-quart casserole dish, and set aside.

Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, ¾ cup Parmesan cheese, cream, lemon juice, and kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, until combined. Fold in artichokes, spinach, onions, roasted bell peppers, old bay seasoning, garlic powder, and kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.

Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish, while smoothing top.  Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and parsley

Cover and bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Serve warm with toasted baguette slices, or assorted crackers. – Enjoy!