Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved smoked oysters!! I remember the very first time I had one! I was only 5 years old and my Grandpa gave me one try. My Grandma scolded him and said, “Oh, Glen! She’s not going to like that, she’s too little!” Well, I surprised them both when I asked for another! 😉

And that was the start of my love for oysters! I can’t think of a single way that I don’t love them – – except for raw. Many years ago when I was in high school and down in Mexico, I actually ate one fresh from the shell, sprinkled with lemon juice, and you ate it from a knife and just slid it down your throat. It was gross. Never again. Never, never, never EVER again.

But any other which way, and I can’t hardly get enough of them! Oysters in general are a delicacy to me! 😀 In stews, stuffings, dips, fried, grilled, and on top of these wonderful little crackers with a creamy cheesy spread loaded with veggies! What’s not to love??

The cream cheese spread is super simple to whip up and made as light as you’d like by swapping out the full fat cream cheese for a low-fat version or a neufchâtel. You can cut down on even more fat by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, too!

Don’t care for Ranch flavor? Leave it out and add a pinch of salt, pepper, a little finely chopped parsley, and some minced garlic instead! 😀  

You can also add whatever veggies you happen to have hanging around that you think would pair well with oysters. Just use this as a basic guide for whatever you and your guests would like! 

This is a GREAT quickie pick-up nibble for Football Parties, and you’d be very surprised at how many of us girls enjoy these just as much as the guys do!! 😉  

They truly are wonderful, and I hope this post and easy recipe doesn’t scare you away! Not everyone likes the same things thank goodness, or what a boring world this would be, right ? 😉 😀

 So keep these in mind when you need a unique idea and quick recipe for an upcoming football party, or just would like to indulge with a few friends on movie night! 😉 Oysters are good for you, so enjoy, and I’ll  see you tomorrow! 😀  ~Kelly 

Yield: 5

Smoked Oyster & Veggie-Ranch Cream Cheese Crackers

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Ingredients

• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tsp. dry Ranch dip mix
• 2 Tbl. finely chopped onion
• 2 Tbl. finely grated sweet baby carrots
• 1 Tbl. finely chopped celery
• 1 Tbl. finely chopped sweet bell pepper (any color)
• 1 tin of smoked oysters, drained (2 oysters per cracker)
• 15 Ritz Crackers

Instructions

In medium bowl, stir together well the softened cream cheese, sour cream and dry Ranch dip mix.

Stir in vegetables.

Spoon and spread onto Ritz crackers, and top with 1-2 smoked oysters (depending on the size that you choose).

Serve with fresh lemon wedges or hot sauce if you'd like.