Description
Seafood lovers discover pure comfort in this hearty bread bowl soup recipe, where creamy coastal flavors merge with rustic presentation. Packed with tender seafood and rich seasonings, this dish brings warmth and coastal charm straight to your dining table.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, crab meat, or lobster)
- 2 cups seafood stock or chicken broth
Dairy and Thickening
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup flour
Aromatics and Garnish
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Serving
- 4 large round sourdough bread bowls, hollowed out
Instructions
- Carve out sourdough rounds by slicing off bread tops and gently excavating interiors, maintaining a sturdy 1-inch border. Reserve bread pieces for complementary dipping later.
- Heat butter in a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame, then introduce mixed seafood and sauté swiftly until just tender, approximately 3-4 minutes. Transfer seafood to a separate dish to prevent overcooking.
- Utilize the same pot to caramelize onions and garlic until translucent and aromatic. Incorporate flour to create a silky roux, stirring continuously for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste.
- Gradually stream seafood stock into the roux, whisking vigorously to eliminate potential clumps. Allow the liquid to simmer and thicken, developing a robust foundation for approximately 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and introduce heavy cream and parmesan, creating a luxurious, velvety texture. Season with salt and pepper, letting the mixture harmonize for 3-4 minutes.
- Reintegrate cooked seafood into the creamy base, stirring gently to distribute flavors evenly and maintain delicate seafood integrity.
- Carefully ladle the steaming seafood mixture into prepared bread vessels, ensuring each bowl overflows with rich, maritime goodness. Serve immediately with reserved bread pieces for optimal dipping experience.
Notes
- Prep the bread bowls ahead of time to ensure a clean, neat presentation and prevent soggy bottoms from excess moisture.
- Select fresh, high-quality mixed seafood like shrimp, scallops, and crab for the most vibrant and authentic flavor profile.
- Keep seafood tender by quickly sautéing and removing from heat before adding back to the creamy soup base to prevent rubbery texture.
- Create a smooth soup base by whisking constantly when adding broth to eliminate potential flour lumps and achieve silky consistency.
- Grate parmesan cheese fresh for maximum flavor depth and melt-in-your-mouth richness throughout the soup.
- Serve immediately after filling bread bowls to maintain optimal temperature and prevent bread from becoming overly saturated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 564
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 862 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 121 mg