Penny’s Clam Dip

    I named this recipe “Penny’s Clam Dip” in honor of my stepfather’s father, Ceasar, who originally gave it to me. When I moved to South Carolina, he was quite elderly and would always ask, “When is Penny coming with her clam dip? Tell her not to bring her husband—he eats all the clam dip!” Too funny, but in truth, it was my mom who taught me this recipe. It’s very easy to make, though there’s one catch: over the years, companies have reduced the amount of clams in the cans (6.5 oz), so instead of using one can, we now need to use two. A bit annoying, but that’s life!

    Penny’s Clam Dip

    A dip is an easy way to please a crowd without breaking a sweat. With just a few ingredients and the option to assemble it a day ahead, it makes for a great appetizer during holidays or any time you're preparing a meal with multiple dishes.
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    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Refrigeration Time 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
    Course Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 5 people maybe more

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 8 oz package of cream cheese, room temperature   (I prefer Philadelphia, but it's up to you)
    • 2 6.5 oz minced or chopped canned clams
    • 3 tbsp clam juice from the can (add more if consistency is too thick)  
    • 1/4 tsp garlic powder (when tasted tested; folks preferred powder to fresh garlic)
    • 2 dashes salt (Add more if needed to taste)

    Instructions
     

    • In a small to medium sized bowl. Add cream cheese and clams. Drain the juice from the clam into a 2 cup glass liquid measuring container. (You will not need it all but better safe than sorry).
    • Add garlic and salt, to taste. Mix till blended into a smooth cream which will not break a thick cut potato chip.
    • Refrigerate for at least I hour or up to overnight. Serve with thick cut poptato chips and/or vegetables.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    • I recommend using 2 cans of minced or chopped clams because I like clams but even with lesser quantities in the can some people might like have less clams; it’s a matter of personal taste.
    • Clam juice; honestly I don’t know how much exactly I pour in; I pour a little bit at a time to achieve the desired consistency.
    • A word on fresh garlic versus powdered garlic: please read: Fresh versus Powdered Garlic: What is the Best?
    Keyword Appetizer, Dippings, Snack
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