Description
Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a rich, creamy, and flavorful soup that brings the best of the sea to your table. Perfectly cooked crab and shrimp are combined with aromatic vegetables, a touch of brandy, and a velvety smooth broth to create a luxurious dish that is both indulgent and comforting. This bisque offers a harmonious balance of sweet, tender seafood and a rich, savory base that’s sure to please your taste buds. It’s the ideal starter for a special dinner or a cozy meal on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fresh crab meat, picked over for shells 🦀
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined 🍤
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 🧈
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped 🧅
- 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
- 1 medium carrot, diced 🥕
- 2 celery stalks, diced 🌱
- 1 bay leaf 🍃
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme 🌿
- 1/2 cup brandy or dry sherry 🍷
- 4 cups seafood stock 🦞
- 1 cup heavy cream 🥛
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 🧂
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish 🌿
Instructions
- Cook the Seafood: In a large pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3-4 minutes, until pink and opaque. Remove the shrimp and set aside. In the same pot, add the crab meat and cook until heated through, then set it aside with the shrimp. 🦀🍤
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the remaining tablespoon of butter and sauté the onion, garlic, carrot, and celery for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. 🧅🥕🌱
- Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the brandy or dry sherry to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Let the alcohol cook off for about 2 minutes. Add the seafood stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. 🍷🍃
- Blend the Soup: Remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until smooth. If you prefer an ultra-smooth texture, strain the soup through a fine-mesh sieve. ✨
- Finish the Bisque: Return the soup to low heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the cooked shrimp and crab back into the pot and warm through. 🦀🍤🥛
- Serve: Ladle the bisque into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately with crusty bread or garlic toast. 🍽🌿
Notes
- Homemade Stock: For a deeper flavor, consider making your own seafood stock by simmering shrimp shells and crab shells with vegetables like onion, celery, and herbs.
- Cream Alternatives: If you want to lighten the recipe, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but this may alter the texture slightly.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce for a bit of heat if you prefer a spicier bisque.
- Flavor Boosters: You can also experiment with fresh herbs like tarragon or dill to add a unique flavor to the bisque.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soups & Stews, Seafood
- Cuisine: French, American, Coastal
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g