Description
A rich and creamy seafood bisque that combines crab and shrimp with simple ingredients for a cozy, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
Seafood
- 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp (Keep shrimp dry and chopped into bite-sized pieces.)
- 8 oz lump crab meat (Check for shells and keep cold until ready to add.)
Base Ingredients
- 4 tbsp butter (For sautéing.)
- 1 cup chopped onion (To build base flavor.)
- 1 cup chopped celery (To build base flavor.)
- 3 cloves garlic (Minced for flavor.)
Flavor Enhancers
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (Just enough to deepen the flavor.)
- 2 tbsp flour (For thickening.)
- 4 cups seafood stock or chicken broth (Seafood stock preferred for best flavor.)
- 1 cup half and half or heavy cream (Use what you prefer.)
Seasonings
- 1 tbsp paprika (For warmth.)
- 1 tbsp Old Bay seasoning (For traditional seafood flavor.)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (For a bit of heat.)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (For brightness at the end.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the shrimp dry and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Keep crab meat cold in the fridge.
Cooking the Base
- In a big pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and celery, cooking until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic for 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir until it forms a smooth paste. Allow it to cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in tomato paste, paprika, and Old Bay seasoning until well combined.
Simmering
- Slowly add the seafood stock or broth while stirring to keep the mixture smooth. Bring to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Blend the mixture using an immersion blender until smooth and velvety in texture.
Finishing Touches
- Reduce the heat and stir in half and half or cream. Carefully fold in shrimp and cook until just pink, about 3 to 4 minutes. Gently add crab meat to warm through for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Finish by stirring in lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust spice levels as desired with cayenne.
Notes
To keep the bisque creamy, avoid boiling after adding the cream. Blend the base before adding crab to preserve texture. Taste and adjust seasoning at every stage for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: dinner, Soup
- Cuisine: American, Seafood