Creamy Crab And Shrimp Seafood Bisque
This luxurious crab and shrimp bisque is a delightful blend of flavors and textures, featuring tender seafood in a creamy, flavorful broth. Perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a cozy night in.
Equipment
- large pot
- immersion blender or regular blender
Ingredients
- 8 oz shrimp peeled and deveined
- 8 oz crab meat checked for shells
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion chopped finely
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 1 carrot carrot diced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups seafood stock or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup dry sherry optional
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Gather all needed ingredients.
Cooking the Base:
- In a sizable pot, melt the butter on medium heat. Introduce the chopped onion, celery, and carrot, cooking for around 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Add in the minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring well. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
Simmering the Bisque:
- Gradually whisk in the seafood stock, ensuring a smooth mixture. Incorporate the tomato paste, Old Bay seasoning, and cayenne if desired.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and allow it to cook for 10 minutes to meld the flavors.
- For a velvety texture, use an immersion blender to puree the bisque. Alternatively, transfer to a blender, then return it to the pot.
Final Steps:
- Stir in the heavy cream, milk, and sherry (if using), lowering the heat to let it gently simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
- Introduce the shrimp and crab meat, cooking for 5-7 minutes until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper according to taste.
- Serve the bisque in bowls, garnishing with fresh chives or parsley.