Sandra Steiger's Creamy Crab Pâté 🦀✨

This delightful Crab Pâté is a perfect appetizer for gatherings or a cozy night in. With its creamy texture and rich flavor, it's sure to impress your guests. Pair it with crunchy crackers or fresh veggies for a delightful contrast. Perfect for holiday parties or casual get-togethers, this dish can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to relax and enjoy your company! 🥂

Ingredients

• 1 - 10 3/4 oz can of cream of mushroom soup (undiluted)
• 1 envelope of unflavored gelatin
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 - 6½ oz can of crabmeat (drained and flaked)
• 1 small onion (grated)
• 1 cup celery (finely chopped)

Instructions

1. Heat the Soup: In a medium saucepan, heat the cream of mushroom soup over low heat until it's warm, but not boiling.

2. Prepare the Gelatin: Remove the soup from heat. In a separate small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the cold water, then add it to the warm soup, stirring well to combine.

🥄 Make sure the soup is well mixed with the gelatin to avoid any lumps.

3. Mix the Ingredients: Gradually add the mayonnaise, softened cream cheese, crabmeat, grated onion, and chopped celery to the soup mixture. Stir until everything is blended smoothly.

4. Mold the Pâté: Spoon the crab mixture into an oiled 4-cup mold or serving dish.

5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours or overnight for best results.

6. Unmold & Serve: To serve, gently unmold the pâté onto a serving platter and garnish with fresh parsley.

🍽️ For an extra touch, consider serving with a sprinkle of paprika or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.

Yield

• About 4 cups of delicious crab pâté to share (or keep all to yourself, we won't judge! 😉).

Variations

• Herbed Pâté: Add fresh herbs like dill or chives for a burst of flavor.
• Spicy Kick: Mix in a teaspoon of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat.
• No Crab: Substitute with cooked shrimp or smoked salmon for a different seafood twist!
• Vegetarian: Replace crabmeat with finely chopped artichokes or sun-dried tomatoes for a vegetarian option that still packs a flavor punch.

Enjoy creating this rich and flavorful crab pâté, and watch it disappear as soon as it hits the table! 🦐🥖