Crab-Shrimp Bisque

Spicy, warm, seafoody wonderfulness.

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons butter

• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup carrot, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 Tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more, to taste)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used gluten-free)

• 4 cups seafood broth

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 bay leaf

• 1/2 pound cooked crab meat (I used shredded)

• 1/2 pound shrimp peeled, deveined, and chopped ( I used raw, you can also used cooked)

• 1/4 cup cooking sherry

• Fresh herbs for garnish (I used Italian parsley)

Preparation:

• Heat butter in large, deep skillet over medium heat.

• Sauté onion, celery, and carrot until softened, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute.

• Stir in tomato paste, paprika, cayenne, Old Bay, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

• Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring until well combined. Cook for another minute.

• Gradually add broth, stirring continuously. Add the bay leaf. Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Take out the bay leaf and set aside. Puree the soup until smooth using a blender. Put back into the skillet over low heat.

• Mix in the heavy cream, sherry, and bay leaf, and simmer for 10 more minutes, until slightly thickened.

• Add crab meat and shrimp. Simmer for 20 minutes, keeping the heat low to avoid curdling the cream.

• Adjust seasoning as needed.

Serving:

Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with chopped fresh herbs. Crusty French bread makes a lovely side.

Backstory:

My mom was more of a baker than a cook - just the opposite of me. But I took important kitchen lessons from her. The best one: Clean as you go. Dirty measuring cups and spoons go straight in the dishwasher. Wash the prep pans while the soup simmers. Clean the cutting board between veggies. By the time you're ready to serve, you can relax in a clean environment.