Description
A rich and creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque with fresh seafood, aromatic vegetables, and a velvety broth. Perfect for cozy dinners or elegant gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 8 oz crab meat
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup carrots, finely grated
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups seafood or fish stock
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Seafood: Peel, devein, and chop shrimp into bite-sized pieces. Set aside with crab meat.
- Sauté the Aromatics: In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots, sautéing until soft. Stir in garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Create the Roux: Sprinkle flour over vegetables, stirring for about 2 minutes until smooth.
- Develop the Flavor: Stir in tomato paste and cook for a minute. Slowly pour in white wine and let it simmer.
- Add the Stock: Gradually pour in seafood stock while stirring. Add bay leaves, Old Bay seasoning, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer the Bisque: Reduce heat to low and let cook for 15–20 minutes.
- Blend for Smoothness (Optional): Use an immersion blender for a silkier texture, leaving some vegetable pieces intact.
- Add the Seafood: Stir in shrimp and crab meat, cooking for 5–7 minutes until shrimp is opaque.
- Incorporate the Cream: Pour in heavy cream, stirring well. Simmer for 2 minutes without boiling.
- Finish with Freshness: Add lemon juice and garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Lobster Addition: Swap shrimp for lobster meat.
- Spicier Version: Increase cayenne or add hot sauce.
- Dairy-Free Alternative: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Thicker Consistency: Blend more of the soup base.
- Chunkier Bisque: Skip blending for a rustic texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: soup, seafood
- Method: Simmering, blending
- Cuisine: french-American
Keywords: seafood bisque, crab bisque, shrimp bisque, creamy seafood soup, easy bisque recipe