Description
Creamy Crab and Shrimp Bisque brings coastal elegance to your dining table with rich, luxurious flavors. Silky seafood blends seamlessly, promising a sophisticated culinary experience that will transport taste buds to seaside comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cooked crab meat
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cooked shrimp, peeled and chopped
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, finely diced
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced
Base and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (946 milliliters) seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a culinary canvas by warming butter and olive oil in a generously sized cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, allowing the fats to meld and shimmer.
- Introduce finely chopped aromatics – onion, garlic, carrot, and celery – to the heated oil, transforming them through gentle sautéing until they become translucent and release their fragrant essence, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Dust the softened vegetables with a delicate veil of flour, meticulously stirring to ensure each morsel is evenly coated, creating a robust foundation for the upcoming liquid integration.
- Slowly cascade seafood or chicken broth into the vegetable mixture, wielding a whisk to choreograph a smooth incorporation, preventing any rebellious flour clusters from forming.
- Allow the emerging liquid to simmer and develop depth, letting the ingredients intermingle and concentrate their flavors for roughly 10 minutes.
- Transform the mixture into silken perfection by employing an immersion blender directly within the pot, or carefully transfer to a standard blender, processing until an impeccably smooth consistency emerges.
- Return the velvety base to the cooking vessel and introduce heavy cream, smoked paprika, Old Bay seasoning, and a whisper of cayenne pepper, stirring to create a harmonious blend of warmth and complexity.
- Gently fold tender crab meat and succulent shrimp into the simmering cream base, allowing them to warm through without aggressive boiling, preserving their delicate texture.
- Taste and calibrate the seasoning with salt and pepper, ensuring a balanced flavor profile that celebrates the seafood’s natural sweetness.
- Ladle the bisque into waiting bowls, crowning each serving with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley, presenting a dish that promises both visual allure and gustatory delight.
Notes
- Prep ahead tip: Chop vegetables and measure spices before starting to streamline cooking process.
- Seafood selection matters: Use fresh, high-quality crab and shrimp for the most authentic and delicious flavor profile.
- Blending technique is crucial: Blend carefully to achieve silky smooth texture without overworking the mixture.
- Temperature control is key: Simmer gently to prevent cream from separating and seafood from becoming tough.
- Customizable heat levels: Adjust cayenne and smoked paprika to match personal spice preferences.
- Storage recommendation: Refrigerate leftovers in airtight container for up to 2 days, reheating slowly to maintain creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg