the Crabbiest of Spreads

This recipe is from 'Perfect Party Food' by Diane Phillips. This is a huge crowd pleaser, it is hard to stay out of it before your guest arrive. You can serve it on crackers, endives or cucumber rounds.

Ingredients:

One 3-once package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 scallions (white and tender green parts), finely chopped

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

1 to 2 teaspoons dry white wine or dry vermouth, as needed

1 pound lump crab meat, picked over for shells and cartilage {there is really good crab at Costco, look for the 'Chicken of the Sea' in with the cheeses & salami}

1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

1. In a medium-size bowl, beat together the cream cheese, mayonnaise, scallions, horseradish, Worcestershire, Old Bay, and wine until smooth. Gradually fold in the crab meat, being careful not to break up the lumps too much, but incorporating it into the cream cheese mixture. If the mixture is stiff, thin it with additional wine or some milk.

2. Garnish with the parsley and almonds and serve.