Description
Creamy crab and shrimp delightful bisque emerges as a luxurious coastal classic from Southern kitchens. Fresh seafood and rich cream blend harmoniously, inviting you to savor sophisticated maritime flavors in one elegant dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (226 g) cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
- 8 oz (226 g) cooked crab meat
- 4 cups (946 ml) seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Warm butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, cooking until translucent and fragrant, about 5-6 minutes.
- Create Roux: Sprinkle flour over softened vegetables, stirring thoroughly to coat evenly and create a smooth base for the bisque.
- Build Liquid Foundation: Gradually pour in seafood or chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent flour lumps and create a uniform mixture. Simmer for 10 minutes to develop rich flavors.
- Smooth Transformation: Purée the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender, processing until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
- Enhance Flavor Profile: Return puréed base to the pot, introducing heavy cream, smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and a hint of cayenne pepper. Stir to integrate complex flavor notes.
- Incorporate Seafood: Delicately fold crab meat and shrimp into the simmering cream base, warming gently to maintain their tender texture.
- Final Seasoning: Adjust salt and pepper to balance the bisque’s flavor, ensuring the seafood’s natural sweetness shines through.
- Presentation: Ladle the bisque into serving bowls, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Master Seafood Selection: Choose fresh, high-quality crab and shrimp for optimal flavor and texture, preferably from a trusted seafood market.
- Blending Technique: Use an immersion blender for safer, easier blending directly in the pot, avoiding messy transfers and potential burns.
- Cream Integration: Add cream slowly and at low heat to prevent curdling, maintaining the bisque’s silky smooth consistency.
- Seasoning Strategy: Adjust spices gradually, tasting as you go to balance heat and flavor without overwhelming the delicate seafood notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 446
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg