Hot Crab & Artichoke Dip

An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella

150g-200g or 1 cup of crabmeat (I used raw crab meat but apparently tinned can work too)
1 clove garlic
200g marinated artichokes (in brine is fine but drain well)
1/2 red capsicum pepper
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
125g/4 ozs cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lemon juice
sprinkle of paprika (optional)

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Step 1 - Preheat oven to 190C and adjust the racks in your oven so that you can place a tray and ramekins on the top or hottest part. Finely chop the garlic, artichokes, capsicum and green onions (or place in a chopper or small food processor and pulse briefly).

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Step 2 - In a medium sized bowl, mix all of the ingredients together until combined and evenly distributed (the only thing that is a little difficult to mix is the cream cheese if it is too cold and hard. Spoon into ramekins and bake for 20 minutes. If you like the charred top and find that you can't get it evenly on top from your oven, use a blowtorch. Serve with crackers or bread.

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Personal Note

I'm a huge fan of daylight savings time and the extra hours are like an extra layer of icing on the day. I love the extra light, not just for photography but also because I am not fond of the dark. Now however, it is getting dark much earlier. Late one afternoon it was already getting dark and I was coming home after meeting with a friend and Mr NQN was already home.

The taxi had dropped me off at the front of our block of apartments and I made my way around the side to our entrance. I watch far too many crime shows so I always look behind me where trees can hide potential serial killers. Suddenly, a dark shadow loomed and walking in my direction. My eyes widened in fear, I emitted a loud gasp and picked up my cape and moved quickly towards the doorway.

"Don't worry!! I'm just your neighbour! I live in Number 24!!!" a man said putting his arms up to show that he wasn't menacing. "I have two children and a wife...." he also offered as I smiled uneasily but still rushed ahead.

"Okay I believe you," I said to him over my shoulder disappearing into our entrance. I also decided against telling him that several serial killers have had children and wives ;)

I rushed up the stairs and tried to open the door that Mr NQN had absent mindedly put the chain on. "Open the door!" I hissed through the crack, "I have a dip to make!"

So tell me Dear Reader, are you mindful of strangers and the dark? I think I would be hell to kidnap (a bit like Ruthless People really!).