Creamy Coastal Delight

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) fresh blue crab meat, picked clean 1 pound (450g) fresh blue crab meat, picked clean
• 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter 2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (470ml) seafood stock 2 cups (470ml) seafood stock
• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (60ml) dry sherry 1/4 cup (60ml) dry sherry
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish Fresh chives or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat: 28g (Saturated Fat: 16g)
• Carbohydrates: 9g (Sugar: 2g)
• Protein: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
2. 2.
   Sprinkle the flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir well to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.
3. 3.
   Slowly pour in the seafood stock while stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. 4.
   Add the crab meat, heavy cream, sherry, Old Bay seasoning, and paprika to the pot. Stir well to combine. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken slightly.
5. 5.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. 6.
   Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh chives or parsley.
7. 7.
   Serve hot and enjoy the creamy coastal delight!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Blue crab meat — Ensure that the crab meat is fresh and picked clean, removing any shells or cartilage before adding it to the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, use homemade seafood stock instead of store-bought.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a slurry of cornstarch and water to the soup and simmer for a few more minutes.
• Adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning according to your preference for spiciness.
• To make the soup dairy-free, substitute the heavy cream with coconut cream or a non-dairy alternative.
• Serve the soup with crusty bread or oyster crackers for added texture.

Serving advice

Serve the Creamy Coastal Delight as a starter or main course. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread or oyster crackers for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

When serving the soup, ensure it is piping hot and garnish each bowl with a sprinkle of fresh chives or parsley. Serve it in elegant soup bowls or cups to enhance the visual appeal.