Description
A rich, silky bisque brimming with succulent crab and tender shrimp in a luxurious cream and tomato broth—perfect for a cozy dinner or upscale starter.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, diced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1½ teaspoons smoked paprika (or Old Bay seasoning)
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ cup dry white wine or sherry
4 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth with seafood shells)
1 bay leaf
8 oz large shrimp, peeled, deveined, chopped (reserve a few for garnish)
8 oz lump crab meat (reserve some for garnish)
1 to 1½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or green onions
Instructions
- In a heavy pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and celery; cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add tomato paste, smoked paprika, and cayenne. Cook 1–2 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 2 minutes more.
- Pour in wine or sherry, scraping up browned bits. Gradually whisk in seafood stock. Add bay leaf and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add chopped shrimp and lump crab. Simmer 3–4 minutes until shrimp are opaque and seafood is heated through.
- Optional: remove bay leaf and blend half of the bisque with an immersion blender for a smoother texture. Return to pot.
- Lower heat and stir in cream. Warm through gently, without boiling. Season with salt and pepper.
- Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved shrimp/crab, herbs, and optional cream drizzle.
Notes
Add lobster or scallops in place of shrimp or crab.
Use half-and-half for a lighter bisque.
Vegetables like carrots or bell pepper can be added for more depth.
Make gluten-free using GF flour and stock.
Reheat slowly to preserve creamy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
