Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Soup

🦀🦐 Creamy Crab and Shrimp Seafood Soup

📋 Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 celery stalk, finely chopped

1 small carrot, grated (optional, for sweetness and depth)

1 tbsp all-purpose flour

3 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup whole milk

½ tsp Old Bay seasoning

¼ tsp paprika

Salt & black pepper, to taste

8 oz cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

6 oz lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Juice of ½ lemon

Optional: dash of hot sauce or pinch of cayenne for a kick

🍳 Instructions:

1. Sauté the aromatics: In a large pot, heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and cook until softened (about 5 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.

2. Make the base: Sprinkle in the flour, stir, and cook for 1-2 minutes to make a light roux. Gradually pour in the seafood stock, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.

3. Add the creaminess: Stir in the heavy cream, milk, Old Bay, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add seafood: Stir in the shrimp and crab meat. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon juice and adjust seasoning if needed.

5. Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and a dash of hot sauce if desired. Serve with crusty bread or oyster crackers.

💡 Tips:

For extra flavor, sauté the shrimp shells in butter first, then remove before proceeding with the soup.

You can add a handful of corn kernels or diced potatoes for heartiness.