How to Make Clam Dip
Minced Clams – We use canned minced clams for this recipe. “Minced” simply means that the clams are chopped or sliced into very small pieces. Canned clams are cooked and tend to be on the chewy side, so mincing them makes them easier to eat. The clam juice in the cans gives the clam dip extra flavor as well. If you have access to fresh clams, by all means, use them! However, the clam flavor will be more potent than using a can of minced clams. For sake of ease and convenience, I usually just stick with the canned clams. Softened Cream Cheese – This is the base of the dip and gives it a rich texture. Some clam dips are made with sour cream, which also works, but the dip is not as thick and can be a little runny. Worcestershire Sauce – If you’ve never worked with Worcestershire sauce before, it is a condiment made from vinegar and seasoned with anchovies, molasses, tamarind, onion, garlic, and more. It has such a distinct flavor and adds so much depth to this dip. You can see the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon, but you can add more or less, depending on your taste. Lemon Juice – Fresh squeezed lemon juice is always best if you have fresh lemon on hand. Bottled lemon juice can also be used. Additional Seasonings – If you want to kick things up a bit, feel free to use additional seasonings to your taste. Lemon pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, parsley, or a drop or two of hot sauce are all seasonings that will complement this dip.
Quality ingredients – Make sure that your ingredients are within the expiration date and are high quality for the best results. Soften – Set the cream cheese out to rest at room temperature. Room temperature cream cheese will ensure you have no lumps in your dip. Drain – Empty the contents of the canned clams and reserve clam juice for the dip. The juice holds all the flavor of the clams. If you want to add more flavor to the clam dip, drain one to two tablespoons of liquid into the clam dip. Flavors – Give the dip a taste right before putting it in the fridge. Make sure that the flavors are balanced right and just how you like it. Don’t overmix – Stir and combine the ingredients for a few minutes. Once they are combined, resist the urge to keep mixing. Overmixing will mush the clam together. Add a kick of spice – Make it spicy using a squirt or two of Tabasco sauce or sprinkling in a teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Garnish – Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a dash of paprika for a colorful garnish!
Vegetables – Cut-up carrots, bell peppers, celery, broccoli, and cauliflower are delicious with clam dip. Chips – A strong chip is best like Ruffles or tortilla chips. Crackers – Find a thick and sturdy type of cracker to dip in the clam dip dish. Wheat thins or a classic hard cracker will be great! Bread- Slice pita bread, naan, baguette, or artisan bread is delicious to dip into the clam dip!
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