Terrific Crab Dip (Warm Flavorful Crab Dip)

This is really "terrific crab dip". I have made this on many occassions. Every time I go to a candle party, a jewelry party, or any kind of home retail party, I am asked to bring this... It's warm & cheesy and oh so good. FYI- you can use fresh lump, frozen, or canned crabmeat... You can even substitute with imitation crab meat or shrimp in a pinch... If you want to add a little kick to this, you can stir in red pepper flakes before baking...

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 (6 1/2ounce) can  crabmeat, drained
• 1  cup mayonnaise
• 1  cup  soft breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 cup  soft breadcrumbs (stir melted butter into this portion of soft bread crumbs)
• 3⁄4 cup half-and-half
• 6  hard-boiled eggs, diced
• 1  cup onion, chopped
• 4  ounces cream cheese
• 1⁄4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  pinch pepper
• 1  dash garlic powder
• 2  ounces black olives, sliced for garnish
• 1  cup monterey jack cheese, shredded

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, break the crabmeat in chunks. Add the mayonnaise, 1 cup soft bread crumbs, half-and-half, eggs, cream cheese, onion, olives, parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and fold together.
3. Spoon mixture into a 1 quart casserole dish. Top with the buttered bread crumbs and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Garnish with olive slices.
4. Top with Monterey Jack cheese then brown or broil until melted & bubbly.