Spicy Tuna Dip - perfect for Super Bowl!

Tuna Cats - ©Claudia True

Still need an appetizer for Super Bowl?

I know it's a little late for planning your Super Bowl appetizers, but that's kind of how this dish was first created. I was in grad school and we had a "spontaneous party" - probably a Friday when we allowed ourselves to have some beer and hang out with friends and take a break from studying. I needed a dip and didn't have time to go to the store. So I put together this concoction with stuff that are staples in my kitchen -  tuna fish, lemons, cream cheese and of course jalapeños! Everyone loved it - even my Pennsylvania friends who weren't so much into my Texas inspired hot, spicy dishes. 

For a long time I made this dip. It's easy and so convenient - again I usually had all the ingredients, except maybe the cream cheese. And it was "budget friendly" which was a definite plus on a grad school budget. But then I forgot about it. A few years ago, one of my friends from Penn State called and asked for the recipe. Well that was a fun and special memory - both hearing from a good fiend and remembering this yummy dish. Isn't it interesting how we form bonds through food! 

I shared this recipe in my 2014 Cooking with Friends calendar. Here it is for you - in case you need that last minute spicy dip for your Super Bowl party. When I shared it with my friend from Pennsylvania, I told her she could add some cayenne if it wasn't hot enough. She thought that was funny . . . .  p.s. my cats love it when I make this dip!

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Spicy Tuna Dip

Ingredients
1        7 oz can tuna - drained
1        8 oz block cream cheese, softened
          juice of 1/2 lemon or more (I like lots of lemon!)
1/2     tsp granulated garlic
​          dash Worcestershire sauce
1 or 2 pickled jalapeño peppers - minced 
           salt to taste
           cayenne - if you want it extra hot

Directions
Mix everything together. Add a little "jalapeño juice" (liquid in the pickled jalapeños) if it's too dry. Serve in a bowl sprinkled with paprika (optional). Good with crackers - and especially good with Fritos, my favorite forbidden food! Simple and delish.