Dungeness Crab Dip with Grilled Braided Bread Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 large shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon dry vermouth
• 3/4 cup cream cheese (6 ounces), softened
• 1 cup Beechers Flagship Cheddar (or something equally sharp and delicious)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons minced chives
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped tarragon
• Salt and pepper
• Dash of Tabasco
• 1 1/2 pounds jumbo lump crabmeat, picked over to remove any bits of shell