Ingredients:
1 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped into bite-sized pieces
1/2 lb crab meat (preferably lump or imitation crab if preferred)
1 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
10 oz fresh spinach, chopped (or use frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for a bit of heat)
1/2 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional, for a hint of acidity)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices, for serving
Instructions:
Prepare the Shrimp and Crab:
If using frozen shrimp, thaw and pat dry. Chop the shrimp into bite-sized pieces.
If using imitation crab, shred or chop it into smaller pieces. If using fresh crab, ensure it's picked over for any shells.
Cook the Shrimp:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from the skillet and set aside. (You can also cook the shrimp in the same skillet in batches to avoid crowding.)
Cook the Garlic and Onion:
In the same skillet, add the onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
Add the garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Wilt the Spinach:
Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted (about 2-3 minutes if using fresh spinach, or just until heated through if using thawed frozen spinach).
If there’s any excess liquid from the spinach, cook for an extra minute or two to evaporate it.
Make the Creamy Base:
Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise to the skillet with the spinach, stirring until smooth and creamy.
Stir in the Parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Add the Crab and Shrimp:
Fold in the cooked shrimp and crab meat. Stir well to combine.
Add the cayenne pepper, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Add lemon juice (optional) for a slight acidity to balance the richness of the dip.
Simmer and Thicken (Optional):
Let the dip simmer on low for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. If the dip is too thick, you can add a splash of milk or cream to reach your desired consistency.
Serve:
Transfer the dip to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish.
Serve hot with crackers, tortilla chips, or toasted baguette slices for dipping.
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