Creamy Stuffed Seafood Soup in Bread Bowl

🥣 Creamy Stuffed Seafood Soup in Bread Bowl

🧾 Ingredients:

For the soup:

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 celery stalk, finely dice

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1/2 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste

1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped

1/2 lb crab meat (real or imitation)

1/2 cup scallops or chopped white fish

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning (optional)

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Optional Add-ins:

1/2 cup corn or diced red bell pepper

Splash of white wine for depth

For the bread bowls:

4 small round bread loaves (like sourdough or crusty artisan rolls)

Olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)

Optional: pinch of garlic powder for brushing

 Instructions:

Prepare the Bread Bowls:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Slice the tops off the bread loaves and hollow out the insides, leaving a thick wall around the sides and bottom.

3. Brush the inside with olive oil or melted butter and sprinkle a little garlic powder if desired.

4. Bake for 10 minutes to crisp up. Set aside.

Make the Soup:

1. In a large pot over medium heat, melt butter and add olive oil.

2. Sauté onion, garlic, celery (and optional bell pepper or corn) until soft—about 5 minutes.

3. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to create a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes to remove raw flour taste.

4. Gradually whisk in the seafood stock until smooth.

5. Stir in cream, milk, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

6. Add shrimp, crab, and scallops (or fish). Cook until just opaque—about 4–6 minutes.

7. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Old Bay (if using), and parsley.

8. Adjust seasoning to taste. If too thick, thin with more milk or stock.

Assemble & Serve:

1. Ladle hot seafood soup into warm bread bowls.

2. Garnish with extra parsley, a sprinkle of paprika, or even more cheese.

3. Serve immediately with the bread tops for dipping!

👩‍🍳 Tips:

For a richer flavor, sauté the seafood briefly in butter first, then set aside and stir in at the end.

You can also add a bit of cream cheese (2 oz) for extra creaminess.

If making ahead, store the soup and bread separately to prevent sogginess.