A very good and rich soup. I will definitely make this for company. Next time I will use only 1/4 cup wine and will use either all shrimp or all crab. One thing though, this recipe does not make 6 servings. I made this full recipe as a dinner for my husband and I and we had two medium size bowls each and finished the pot. This makes either 2 generous or 4 medium size servings.
I made this Feb. 10/07 for a dinner party for 12 and it was a hit! I served it as an appetizer with fresh bread. Thanks to the reviews, I omitted the shrimp, loaded up on the frozen crab meat, added crushed garlic (cooked down in the butter), black pepper instead of white, cornstarch instead of flour sherry instead of white wine. I used lactose free milk instead and a dollop of half and half. I forgot to add the chicken base but found that I didn’t need it. Thanks a million!
This was pretty good but I gave it a 4 because I made a few changes. I used all crab meat and used green onion rather than regular. I left out the chicken bouillion, made my roux and then sauted some garlic, the green onions and the crab meat, so the crab could really soak up that flavor. Next I added about half of the 1/2 and half and a TON of paprika–probably 3 Tblsp. Once it began to thicken I added the rest of the half and half and about a cup of sherry instead of wine and 1/2 tsp of white pepper. It was perfect!! Thanks for a yummy recipe!
Crab and Shrimp Seafood Bisque
Ingredients :
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
2 tablespoons chopped celery
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 ounces crab meat
4 to 8 ounces small cooked shrimp or other seafood
2 tablespoon sherry wine*
Preparation :
Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-low heat; add the chopped green onion and celery. Saute, stirring, until tender.
Blend the flour into the butter and vegetables until well incorporated. Continue cooking, stirring, for about 2 minutes.
Warm the milk in another saucepan over medium heat.
Slowly stir in the warmed milk and continue cooking and stirring until thickened.
Add the freshly ground black pepper, tomato paste, and heavy cream.
If desired, puree the soup in a blender or food processor** at this point and then return it to the saucepan.
Stir in the crab, shrimp, and the sherry. Bring to a simmer.
Serve hot.
Tips and Variations
Feel free to add small cooked bay scallops or lobster instead of the shrimp.
Replace the green onions with finely chopped shallots.
If desired, garnish the soup with thinly sliced green onion tops, cilantro, or parsley. Or add a spoonful of sour cream and swirl it.
Yield: 4 Servings