Description
This rich and creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a comforting classic, bursting with the sweet flavors of fresh seafood and enhanced with a velvety blend of cream, milk, and aromatic seasonings. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this bisque brings restaurant-quality elegance to your table in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bisque Base
- 4 tablespoons Butter
- 1/3 cup Celery, chopped
- 1/3 cup Green onions, chopped
- 3 tablespoons Flour
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Soup
- 1.5 cups Heavy whipping cream
- 2 cups Whole milk
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
Seafood
- 8 oz. Cooked shrimp, cut into pieces
- 8 oz. Crab meat
Instructions
- Melt Butter: In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons of butter until it’s bubbly and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add 1/3 cup chopped celery and 1/3 cup chopped green onions to the pot. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add Flour: Sprinkle in 3 tablespoons of flour and stir well to coat the vegetables. Sauté for an additional minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Add Milk: Warm 2 cups of whole milk in the microwave for about 1 minute. Gradually whisk the milk into the pot to form a smooth mixture without lumps.
- Incorporate Cream and Seasonings: Whisk in 1.5 cups heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until fully combined.
- Simmer Bisque: Bring the bisque to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring regularly for about 5-7 minutes to thicken and develop flavors.
- Add Seafood: Gently fold in 8 ounces of cooked shrimp and 8 ounces of crab meat into the bisque. Cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through without overcooking the seafood.
- Serve: Remove from heat and ladle the bisque into warm bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives as desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- Warm the milk before adding to prevent lumps in the sauce.
- Do not overcook the seafood to keep it tender and flavorful.
- Old Bay seasoning adds a classic seafood spice, but you can adjust to taste.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or chives for added color and freshness.
- Use freshly cooked seafood for best taste, but pre-cooked shrimp and crab meat work well too.
