Super Bowl LIII is coming up this weekend. The New England Patriots will take on the Los Angeles Rams. Both teams were the underdogs in their conference championships and both teams pulled off their wins in overtime play. The New England Patriots hold the record for the most Super Bowl appearances in league history with this being their 11th bid for the title. Nine of those appearances (since 2000) have been with Bill Belichick as head coach and Tom Brady as quarterback. The Patriots are in the Super Bowl for the third time in a row and the fourth time in five years.
The last time the Patriots faced the Rams in the Super Bowl, (in New Orleans in 2002) the Pats pulled off an all-time upset, winning the game on a last-second field goal. The Patriots are currently favored by 2.5 points in this weekend’s match-up. (The Rams were briefly one-point favorites in the moments after lines were announced.) But as we saw in the conference championship games, being favored does not win the game! What may win the game for the Patriots is having an offense that can attack in a variety of ways. Hybrid running backs/wide receivers are a major part of that offensive versatility.
At our Super Bowl gathering, a baked clam dip is being served in honor of the New England Patriots and their fans. New England cuisine is characterized by an extensive use of seafood and dairy products. This dip recipe combines clams and cream cheese for a classic appetizer with an upgrade of butter toasted almonds as a topper. It’s a party-perfect addition to the big game fare!
Baked Clam Dip
Baked Clam Dip (adapted from foodrepublic.com) Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 6-ounce can minced clams, drained, 1 tablespoon of juice reserved
- 2 tablespoons onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- potato chips and/or assorted crackers for serving
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Mix together the cream cheese, clams, onion, buttermilk, and horseradish until it is all well combined.
Mix the cream cheese with the clams.
Add the reserved tablespoon of clam juice and season the dip with salt and pepper to taste.
When it is well combined, transfer it to the prepared baking dish.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and lightly sauté them for about 5 minutes, just until they are toasted.
Saute the almonds in the butter.
Lightly grease a medium-sized (2-cup) baking dish and transfer the spread to the dish. Spoon the almonds over the clam mixture and bake the dip, uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until it is bubbly.
Top the dip with the toasted almonds.
Serve the dip warm with the potato chips and crackers.
Clam Dip is a New England thing!
Go (again!) Patriots! ~Linda
Baked Clam Dip (adapted from foodrepublic.com) Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 25 minutes, Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1 6-ounce can minced clams, drained, 1 tablespoon of juice reserved
- 2 tablespoons onion, minced
- 1 tablespoon buttermilk
- 1/2 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- potato chips and/or assorted crackers for serving
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350º F. Mix together the cream cheese, clams, onion, buttermilk, and horseradish until it is all well combined. Add the reserved tablespoon of clam juice and season the dip with salt and pepper to taste.
Lightly grease a medium-sized (2-cup) baking dish and transfer the spread to the dish.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the almonds and lightly sauté them for about 5 minutes, just until they are toasted.
Spoon the almonds over the clam mixture and bake the dip, uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until it is bubbly. Serve the dip warm with the potato chips and crackers.