Name: Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque – A Luxurious Bowl of Coastal Comfort
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 small onion, finely chopped; 1 celery stalk, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 3 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth); 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup milk; 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional); 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/2 lb lump crab meat; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 tsp Old Bay seasoning; 1/2 tsp paprika; 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional); Salt and black pepper, to taste; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Description

Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque is a luxurious, velvety soup loaded with tender shrimp, sweet crab meat, and a rich blend of cream, butter, and aromatic spices. Perfectly comforting and elegant, it’s an ideal dish for special occasions or cozy seafood dinners.

Ingredients

2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
3 cups seafood stock (or chicken broth)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 lb lump crab meat
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

In a large pot, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and garlic; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a light roux.
Gradually whisk in the seafood stock, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add tomato paste, Old Bay, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in heavy cream, milk, and white wine (if using). Simmer gently for another 5 minutes.
Add shrimp and cook for 3–4 minutes until pink and cooked through.
Gently fold in crab meat and simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes. Do not boil once the crab is added to preserve its texture.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm with crusty bread or oyster crackers.

Notes

For a smoother bisque, blend half the soup before adding the seafood.
Use seafood stock for the most flavor, but chicken broth works well too.
You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter version.
Add a splash of lemon juice before serving for brightness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Soup
Method: Simmering
Cuisine: French-American