Crab Melt Appetizers

‘Tis the season for holiday parties and other food-appropriate gatherings. Consider bringing an appetizer to your next event… something fun that doesn’t require utensils to enjoy. Crab Melt Appetizers are perfect for this, because they’re easy to prepare and completely portable. You can prepare them ahead of time right up until the very last step (broiling). Drive them to your party on a baking sheet, borrow your host’s broiler for a quick few minutes, and Voila! Bubbling hot Crab Melt Appetizers for everyone!

Ingredients (Makes approximately 24 appetizers)

8 ounces mild cheddar cheese, shredded

8 ounces crabmeat (canned is fine)

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 loaf French bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick

1/4 cup green olives, sliced thin

Directions

Step 1) Melt cheddar cheese, butter, and Worcestershire sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently.

Step 2) Whisk crabmeat into cheese mixture (drain crabmeat first if using canned).

Step 3) Use a teaspoon to spread the crab mixture onto slices of French bread. Top with a few slices of green olive.

Step 4) Arrange slices on a baking sheet and broil for 3 – 5 minutes or until the cheese on your crab melts begins to bubble and brown.

Step 5) Remove from broiler and serve. Happy Holidays!

Variations

If you love these flavors as much as we do, you might want to experiment with the following variations…

• Instead of topping your crab melt appetizers with green olives, try thin slices of red bell pepper. So pretty!
• Instead of spreading the crab mixture onto slices of French bread, keep it warm in a fondue pot. Set a bowl of bread cubes and fondue forks alongside the fondue pot, and invite your guests to help themselves to Crab Melt Fondue!
• Feeling adventurous? Try scooping the seeds out of cherry tomatoes, and spooning the crab and cheese mixture into the hollowed out tomatoes. Arrange tomatoes in a pie dish so that they are touching each other (to prevent tomatoes from tipping over). Broil until the crab melt mixture begins to turn golden brown. So fancy!