Description
Creamy New England-style crab and shrimp seafood bisque combines rich maritime flavors with delicate shellfish. Elegant coastal cuisine delivers comfort in each spoonful that seafood enthusiasts will savor completely.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked crab meat (shells removed)
- 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.25 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup celery (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup carrot (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsps sherry (optional)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill) for garnish
Instructions
- Sauté Base: In a large pot over medium heat, caramelize diced celery, carrots, and onions until translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Spice Integration: Blend tomato paste with paprika and cayenne pepper, stirring to create a rich, spice-infused foundation. Develop depth by allowing the mixture to caramelize for 1-2 minutes.
- Roux Development: Dust all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture, whisking continuously to construct a smooth roux. Gradually incorporate seafood or chicken broth, maintaining a consistent stirring technique to prevent lumping.
- Liquid Transformation: Simmer the mixture for 10-12 minutes, allowing natural thickening to occur. Enhance flavor complexity by introducing sherry wine during this stage, creating a nuanced taste profile.
- Cream and Seafood Integration: Reduce heat and gently fold heavy cream into the pot. Delicately incorporate chopped shrimp and crab meat, warming them through without compromising their tender texture.
- Final Seasoning and Presentation: Season the bisque with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Ladle into serving bowls and embellish with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill for a vibrant, aromatic finish.
Notes
- Roux Mastery: Carefully toast flour with vegetables to eliminate raw flour taste and create a rich, nutty foundation that enhances the bisque’s depth of flavor.
- Seafood Timing: Add delicate shrimp and crab meat at the end of cooking to prevent toughening, ensuring tender, perfectly cooked seafood that remains moist and succulent.
- Spice Balance: Adjust cayenne and paprika carefully – start with less and taste, as these can quickly overpower the delicate seafood flavors.
- Cream Technique: Add heavy cream off direct heat and stir gently to prevent curdling, maintaining a smooth, luxurious texture throughout the bisque.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg