Slow Cooker Shrimp and Crab Bisque
This creamy seafood soup is the perfect transition from summer flavors to fall comfort food.
Ingredient:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 leeks, white and light green parts only, washed well and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (can add more, to taste)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup dry sherry or marsala wine
- 4 cups seafood or fish stock
- 1 (15-oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 cup jumbo lump crab meat
- Fresh parsley and lemon wedges, for serving
- Toasted bread or croutons, for serving
FOR THE CRAB SALAD TOPPING (OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED!):
- Juice of 1/2 a lemon
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon whole grain mustard
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup jumbo lump crab meat
- Salt, to taste
Recipe Direction :
- Set the crock pot to stovetop/sear setting (alternatively, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat on the stove). Add the oil and butter. Once the butter is melted, add the leeks, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until the leeks are tender. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute or until it is melted and coating the leeks.
- Pour in the wine and cook for a few minutes or until it is reduced by half. If using a skillet, it is at this point that you want to transfer the leek mixture to your crock pot. Be sure to get any residual juices in the skillet into the crock pot.
- Add in the stock, tomatoes, Old Bay seasoning, and sugar, stirring well to combine.
- In a mixing cup, whisk together the water and flour until smooth. Stir into the soup mixture. Add in the salt and pepper.
- Cover the crock pot and set it on HIGH for 2 hours (or on LOW for 4 hours).
- After it has cooked for the allotted time, taste the bisque base for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Stir in the shrimp, crab, cream, and parsley and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Keep warm until you are ready to serve.
FOR THE CRAB SALAD TOPPING:
- While the bisque is finishing up, make the crab topping by combining the lemon juice, mayo, mustards, and parsley in a mixing bowl.
- Gently fold in the crab meat, being careful to not break it up too much. Season, to taste, with salt. Keep chilled until you are ready to serve.