Description
Creamy crab and shrimp seafood bisque delivers a luxurious ocean-inspired symphony of flavors that dance across your palate. Delicate seafood and rich cream blend seamlessly, inviting you to savor each spoonful of this comforting coastal classic.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 1/2 pound cooked crab meat, picked over for shells
- 1/2 pound cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, cut into bite-sized pieces
Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped carrot
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons sherry (optional)
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or chives) for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté onion, celery, and carrot in olive oil over medium heat for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, releasing aromatic flavors.
- Incorporate tomato paste, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper, stirring to create a rich base and develop deeper flavor profiles for 2 minutes.
- Dust vegetables with flour, mixing thoroughly to eliminate raw flour taste and create a roux-like consistency.
- Slowly stream in broth while continuously whisking to prevent lumps, then reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes.
- Transform the mixture into a silky smooth texture using an immersion blender or standard blender.
- Pour heavy cream into the bisque, allowing it to simmer and thicken for 10 minutes at low heat.
- Gently fold in crab meat and shrimp, adding optional sherry for enhanced depth of flavor.
- Warm seafood for approximately 5 minutes, ensuring proteins are heated completely without overcooking.
- Calibrate seasoning with additional salt and pepper according to personal taste preferences.
- Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with fresh chopped herbs for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Control spice levels by adjusting cayenne pepper, ensuring a personalized heat profile that suits different taste preferences.
- Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or half-and-half for a lighter version that accommodates dairy-sensitive diners.
- Choose fresh seafood from reputable sources to guarantee maximum flavor and optimal texture in the bisque.
- Consider making the base ahead of time and adding seafood just before serving to enhance convenience and maintain ingredient freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg