Warm Asparagus Crab Spread Recipes

CREAMY CRAB AND ASPARAGUS BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• In large dutch oven or saucepot, cook egg noodles according to package directions; drain well. Return drained noodles to saucepot; set aside.
• In medium skillet, sauté onion, garlic and celery in vegetable oil for 3-4 minutes or until onions are soft; set aside to cool slightly.
• Add the cooked onion mixture, crabmeat, drained asparagus, half of the parmesan cheese, parsley, and red pepper flakes to the noodle. Mix well; set aside.
• Whisk together the cream, horseradish cream, salt and pepper. Pour over the crabmeat mixture, and blend well with wooden spoon or large ladle.
• Pour crab and noodle mixture into a 9x13 baking dish, and sprinkle a light layer of the remaining parmesan cheese on top.
• Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

BAKED ASPARAGUS DIP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the asparagus, cheese and mayonnaise. Place in a 6-inch cast-iron skillet or 2-cup ovenproof bowl. Bake at 375° until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve warm with pita chips.

STEAMED ARTICHOKE CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add chopped, cooked artichoke hearts and lump crabmeat. Stir well and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary. Pour into an oven proof dish (a large ramekin works well) and bake dip for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and top is nice and bubbly. Serve with Croutons and garnish with parsley sprigs and Parmesan.
• Trim artichokes down to their hearts, working quickly so they don't go too brown (you can rub with lemon juice as you go if you like). Split hearts in half lengthwise and drizzle with a little olive oil and season with some salt and pepper. Place into a microwave-steamer bag and cook for 2 to 3 minutes in your microwave (time may vary depending on your microwave). When done allow to sit in the bag for 1 minute then remove and roughly chop. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut baguette on a slight bias and lay out on a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

ASPARAGUS AND CRAB CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan set over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Gradually add the milk and stir until thick and smooth, about 5 minutes. Add the Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, and stir until melted. Add the salt and pepper. Set aside.
• Hold an asparagus spear with both hands, about 2 inches from the ends. Gently bend the asparagus until it snaps. It will break at the point where the stem gets too tough to be enjoyable; discard the stem. Repeat for all your asparagus. Cook the asparagus in boiling water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain.
• Place the asparagus in a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Scatter the crab meat over the asparagus, then pour in the cheese sauce. Sprinkle with the Parmesan, then bake for about 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling.

HOT CRAB AND ASPARAGUS CANAPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light.
• Beat in crab, garlic and green onions until just combined.
• Season with salt, lemon juice and Tabasco sauce; combine well.
• Slice baguette diagonally into 1/4 inch thick slices.
• Spread mixture on the baquette slices and set on the baking tray.
• Top each canape with 2 asparagus halves, cut side down.
• Sprinkle canapes with grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in preheated 400 F oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.
• Arrange on a platter and serve.
• NOTE: To blanch the asparagus, cook in boiling water for 1 - 2 minutes.
• Drain and immediately chill in ice water; drain.
• These canapes can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator, loosely wrapped in plastic wrap.
• Because you will be baking from cold, allow 3 - 4 minutes extra cooking time.

CRAB AND ASPARAGUS DIP

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375. In medium bowl, mix sour cream, cream cheese and asparagus. Add cheese, onions, horseradish, mustard and crabmeat; mix well.
• Spread evenly in ungreased 1-quart baking dish. Sprinkle with almonds.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve warm with crackers.