Description
Luxurious “Creamy Crab Bisque” delivers oceanic richness with silky seafood elegance. Coastal comfort mingles with delicate crab essence, promising restaurant-quality flavors you can savor at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) lump crab meat, picked over for shells
Liquid Base and Dairy:
- 2 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup dry white wine (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Create a flavor foundation by gently sautéing finely chopped onions and celery in velvety butter until they become translucent and tender, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Introduce minced garlic to the softened vegetables, allowing its pungent notes to permeate the mixture for a brief moment, awakening the underlying flavors.
- Dust the vegetable medley with flour, meticulously coating each morsel to develop a rich, golden roux that will provide luxurious body to the bisque.
- Gradually stream seafood stock into the mixture, whisking continuously to prevent any unwelcome lumps from forming and ensuring a silky smooth consistency.
- Incorporate heavy cream, milk, and a splash of white wine, creating a luscious base that will elevate the bisque’s depth and complexity.
- Enliven the liquid with a harmonious blend of Old Bay seasoning, warm paprika, and a careful balance of salt and black pepper, allowing the spices to meld and intensify.
- Lower the heat and let the bisque simmer gently, allowing the flavors to intermingle and the liquid to thicken into a sumptuous texture.
- Delicately fold in succulent lump crab meat and a bright burst of fresh lemon juice, transforming the bisque into a celebration of oceanic flavors.
- For those desiring a smoother consistency, employ an immersion blender to partially or completely puree the bisque, creating a velvety canvas for the crab.
- Serve the bisque in warm bowls, adorned with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, accompanied by crusty bread or crisp crackers to complete this elegant maritime dish.
Notes
- Choose fresh, high-quality lump crab meat for the most authentic and delicious flavor profile in your bisque.
- Control the soup’s thickness by adjusting the flour quantity or simmering time to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Swap dairy for plant-based alternatives to create a lighter, dairy-free version of this classic seafood soup.
- Consider using smoked paprika for an extra layer of depth and complexity in the bisque’s overall taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg