A Crabby Dinner Party

Covered Dish Crab Casserole

The holidays are about gatherings, and gatherings are about eating. If your family is like mine these Christmas parties are ripe with bitterness, cynicism and cigarettes. On one side of the family we have a pot-luck style feast because of the above mentioned bitterness, and because someone always complains about having to provide a whole meal for a bunch of ungrateful sonsabitches..etc. This crabby dish makes the perfect side for traveling short distances or a great treat for your shut-in neighbor. I am a huge fan of casseroles and crabs, I got a hankering for this one after reading about it in Valley of the Dolls. No need to get super fancy about it, it's casserole, it's supposed to be trashy. Adjust to suit your tastes.

You will need the following: 

2 (5oz) cans of crab 

3/4 c frozen peas and pearl onions mix

3 green onions (chopped)

1/4 c flour

4 tbsp butter

2 cups milk

1 egg yolk

lemon juice

1/2 c shredded cheese

1 large tomato (diced)

1 tbsp bread crumbs

1 can french fried onions

salt & pepper

Step 1: Oven to 350. Saute onion, peas and butter in a skillet, careful not to burn the butter. Add flour and pepper. Add milk and stir constantly 'til thick. Add egg yolk and lemon juice. Remove from heat. Add cheese and stir 'til melted. 

Step 2: Open crab into casserole dish. Stir in skillet mixture and tomato. Mix with a little dill if desired. Press evenly and top with breadcrumbs and a light dusting of paprika (opt.) 

Step 3: Bake covered 25 minutes. Uncover and add fried onions, return to oven and bake 5 more minutes. 

Also good for a cold winter's night when you feel like being a fatty. Serves one, garnish with Christmas cookies. 

A Banner Year at the Little Dinner Party

 Crafty Banner for Christmas

By the looks of this festive banner, I'd say I have way too much time on my hands. Christmas time is probably the best time of the entire year. I love it so much I do pointless busy work (see photo above). Nothing says Holly Jolly quite like a banner that says Holly Jolly. It was actually just as easy as it looks and provides my family (of cats) with hours of holiday cheer! 

First, get all this stuff:

(I used a paper cutter to make the flags and printed letters in different fonts.)

Next, cut out letters and boarder with glitter. Warning: Don't breath glitter, mesothelioma is the number one killer of lonely crafters. 

Then string all your banner-ables onto ribbon and hang by the chimney with care. 

The season has officially begun, even though I've already been celebrating for weeks.