BEST Crab Bisque

Here’s a delicious and rich Crab Bisque recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb lump crab meat
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 4 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the Vegetables:
   • In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat.
   • Add onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add Tomato Paste & Flour:
   • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
   • Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly to make a roux. Cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Deglaze with Wine (Optional):
   • Slowly add the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a minute to reduce slightly.
4. Add Stock & Seasonings:
   • Stir in the seafood stock, Old Bay seasoning, smoked paprika, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, and cook for 15-20 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
5. Blend the Soup:
   • Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth. Alternatively, carefully transfer the soup in batches to a blender, then return it to the pot.
6. Add Crab Meat & Cream:
   • Stir in the heavy cream and the crab meat (reserve some for garnish if desired). Let the bisque simmer for another 5 minutes, but avoid bringing it to a boil to keep the cream smooth.
7. Adjust Seasoning:
   • Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
8. Serve:
   • Ladle the bisque into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and extra crab meat. Serve with lemon wedges on the side, if desired.

Tips:

• For a deeper flavor, roast the crab shells and use them to make the seafood stock.
• For added richness, you can finish the bisque with a splash of sherry or cognac just before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and creamy crab bisque!