Patout's Hot Crab Dip

Ingredients

1/2 c butter
2 onions
1 bell pepper
2 garlic
1 pt cream
1 c green onions
1/2 c parsley
1 t basil
1 t thyme
2 t salt
2 t black pepper
1 t pepper
6 shots tabasco sauce
1 lb crab meat

Instructions

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic and saute for 10-15 minutes, until wilted. Stir in the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the green onions, parsley, herbs, and seasonings and continue to simmer until the cream has reduced by about a quarter and the sauce is thick. Stir in the crab meat, return to a simmer, and let cook 2-3 minutes more. Pour into a chafing dish and serve as an hors d'oeuvre or as part of a buffet with crackers or Melba toast. Alex Patout writes, "I especially like it with garlic Melba toast." Makes about 1 quart.