Crab, Bacon & Cheddar Dip

1 LB Crab (Special Refrigerated)
1 LB Cream or Neufchaftel Cheese, softened (2 blocks)
1/2 LB Bacon
1/4 LB grated Cheddar Cheese
1/2 C grated Parmesian Cheese
1/4 - 1/2 C Sour Cream to adjust creaminess
1 TBS Mayonaise
1 TBS Prepared Dijon Mustard
1-2 shallots diced
1-2 cloves garlic diced
1 TBS Bayou Blast or Crab Seasoning (I find crab seasoning too salty)
   http://meatloaf4moose.blogspot.com/2012/10/spice-blender.html
2-3 Tsp Worcestrshire Sauce

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, except crab, bacon, shallots and garlic
Cook Bacon on med heat until crispy, cut into 1/4" strips crosswise, mix into bowl
Pour off most of the bacon grease, reserving 2-3 TBS in pan, reduce heat to med-low.
saute shallots until translucent, add garlic saute another minute
mix contents of pan into bowl (including the grease)
fold in crab meat
heat at 300 for 20-30 minutes until bubbly

top with bread crumbs for a modicum of class, heat 5 more minutes.

Crab Cakes

The internet giveth and the internet taketh. saving what I want while I can...

http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/about/crabcakerecipe.cfm

Ingredients:

1 lb. jumbo lump or backfin crab meat
2 slices white bread
1 tbsp. mayonnaise (light or regular)
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. Old Bay or Wye River seasonings
1 tbsp. snipped parsley (optional)
1 egg (or substitute for special diets)
tartar sauce or cocktail sauce

Directions:

Beat the egg in a bowl. Trim the crusts from the bread and break the slices into small pieces. Add these pieces to the egg. Mix in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Chesapeake seasoning and parsley, and beat well.

Place the crabmeat in a bowl and pour the egg mixture over the top. Gently toss or fold the ingredients together, taking care not to break up the lumps of crabmeat.

Form the cakes by hand into patties about 3 inches around and 3/4-inch thick. Shape should be like a cookie, not like a meatball or golf ball. Place the cakes in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes before cooking. This is very important so the cakes don't fall apart.

Broil the Crab Cakes:

Slip them under a preheated broiler until nicely browned, turning to cook evenly, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

Or saute:

Heat a small amount of butter or olive oil in a skillet and saute the cakes, turning several times, until golden brown or about 8 minutes total cooking time.