Description
Creamy crab and shrimp bisque delivers oceanic elegance with French coastal charm. Rich seafood flavors blend seamlessly, inviting diners to savor Louisiana’s luxurious maritime culinary traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood:
- 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked shrimp (peeled, deveined, chopped)
- 0.25 pound (113 grams) cooked crab meat (shells removed)
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 0.25 cup onion (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup celery (finely chopped)
- 0.25 cup carrot (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Base and Seasonings:
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sherry (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or dill) for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium temperature, sautéing diced celery, carrots, and onions until they become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes. Introduce minced garlic and cook for an additional 45-60 seconds.
- Stir in tomato paste, incorporating paprika and cayenne pepper, allowing the mixture to caramelize and release aromatic spice notes for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle all-purpose flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux base for 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in seafood or chicken broth, ensuring no lumps develop while maintaining a consistent stirring motion.
- Simmer the liquid for 10-12 minutes, watching the consistency thicken naturally. Optional: add sherry wine to enhance the flavor profile during this stage.
- Reduce heat and gradually pour heavy cream into the pot, blending thoroughly. Gently fold in chopped shrimp and crab meat, allowing them to warm through for 4-5 minutes without overcooking.
- Season the bisque with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or dill for a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- Customize your bisque’s heat level by adjusting cayenne pepper for a personalized spicy kick.
- Ensure seafood remains tender by adding shrimp and crab meat at the last cooking stage to prevent overcooking.
- Create a silky texture through careful roux preparation and gradual broth incorporation for a lump-free base.
- Select fresh, high-quality seafood like wild-caught shrimp and lump crab meat to elevate the bisque’s overall flavor profile.
- Reserve some whole crab or shrimp pieces for garnishing to enhance visual appeal and provide delightful textural contrast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 150mg