Bahamian Coconut Crab Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) fresh crab meat 1 lb (450g) fresh crab meat
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 cups (470ml) coconut milk 2 cups (470ml) coconut milk
• 4 cups (950ml) fish or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) fish or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 18g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 24g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, red bell pepper, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
2. 2.
   Add the thyme, allspice, and minced Scotch bonnet pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
3. 3.
   Pour in the coconut milk and broth, and bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. 4.
   Gently stir in the crab meat and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Remove the pot from heat and let the soup cool slightly. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the soup until smooth.
6. 6.
   Return the soup to the pot and reheat gently over low heat.
7. 7.
   Serve the Bahamian Coconut Crab Soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Crab meat — Ensure that the crab meat is fresh and free from any shells or cartilage before adding it to the soup.
• Scotch bonnet pepper — Adjust the amount of minced pepper according to your spice preference. Be cautious as Scotch bonnet peppers are very hot, so handle them with care and consider wearing gloves while chopping.

Tips & Tricks

• For a milder version, remove the seeds and membranes from the Scotch bonnet pepper before mincing.
• If fresh crab meat is not available, you can use canned crab meat as a substitute.
• Adjust the consistency of the soup by adding more broth if desired.
• Serve the soup with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for an extra burst of flavor.
• Pair the Bahamian Coconut Crab Soup with some crusty bread or rice for a complete meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Bahamian Coconut Crab Soup in warm bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro. Accompany it with some toasted bread or a side of rice for a satisfying and comforting meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle a swirl of coconut milk on top of the soup before garnishing with fresh cilantro. Serve it in colorful ceramic bowls to showcase the vibrant orange color of the soup.