Tuesday, January 11, 2011

E: Lightened Up Crab Bisque

The weather in Charleston on Monday was crazzzzy (for the South). We got rain, freezing rain & sleet. Most of the bridges (VERY important in the low country) shut down. I was happy to work from home in sweat pants :) I did brave the weather for the gym and a quick stop at the food store. Other than those two trips, I was home!

When it came time for dinner, I knew it was time for soup! When we lived in Maryland, Josh loved eating crabs and crab soup. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of crab eating since our move to SC. I thought this lightened up bisque from cooking light would be perfect. I didn’t make the relish, halved the recipe, and made just a few ingredient adjustments

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh corn kernels (about 1 large ear; see Tips) or frozen, thawed
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup diced carrots
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 3/4 cup diced red potatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon sweet or hot smoked paprika, plus more for garnish
  • 1/8 teaspoon dried ground red pepper (remove if you don’t like heat)
  • 1/2 cup dry sherry
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 cup low-fat milk
  • 8 ounces crabmeat, drained if necessary

Directions:

  • Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add corn, onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring often, until the onion, carrots & celery have softened, about 5 minutes. Add potato, paprika and red pepper and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add sherry and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the liquid has reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes.
  • Utilize a blender to puree the mixture. Stir in milk and crab. Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 3 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional paprika, if desired.

    The result (note: I need to make a light box!!):

      IMG_1168 IMG_1170 

  • How is the weather where you are?

    43 comments:

    Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean said...

    yum! so cold here this sounds delicious. i love crab :)

    Nisrine |Dinners and Dreams said...

    I have made a light version of crab bisque before but I like that you added carrots and sherry to yours. They must add a ton of flavor.

    Lauren said...

    This sounds delicious!!! Even without the lightbox, I can tell how delicious and comforting this soup is.

    Heather said...

    Working in sweatpants sounds divine!! :)
    We're supposed to be getting a snow storm later this week - I'm crossing my fingers that doesn't happen!

    Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

    this soup looks so yummy! i've never tried making crab bisque before - mmmm yummmm. well the snow/ice is headed this way to VA -it started early this morning and I think is supposed to continue until tonight. i'm so over it already!!! snow snow GO AWAY!!! (my work doesn't close for anything so all snow does is make my life difficult - oh and if I work from home I have to charge VACATION time, can u believe that?) :(

    Bridget said...

    Yum!! How'd it turn out?? I love crab and a lightened bisque sounds fabulous! Yeah we're bracing for a huge storm tonight up here! Too bad my work NEVER closes!! Stay warm Erica!!

    brandi said...

    looks delicious! It's been so cold here lately - all I'm thinking about is soup!

    Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

    I keep getting ice and sleet up-dates from CofC on my Facebook page :-)

    Hope the weather clears up soon...it's always so strange to have weather like that in the South!

    lee said...

    We got like 5 inches of snow and then a bunch of ice on top. The whole city has basically shut down.

    Christina said...

    very delicious! i love our crazy weather! :)

    Alexis @There She Goes said...

    Cream of crab soup/crab bisque is one of my favorite things ever being from Maryland...this lightened up version looks awesome!

    Krista said...

    This soup sounds so comforting. I wonder if it would work well with imitation crab? I have some to use up... :)

    Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

    Sleet and ice is the worst. That's what we typically end up with here. Surprisingly though, we had snow for once Sunday into Monday. Soup/stew/chili is ideal for winter weather!

    Lisa @ Thrive Style said...

    That looks fab!

    The weather in upstate NY is freezing...but not snowing yet. Apparently, we're getting up to a foot or two in the next two days. I'll be hibernating!

    vanillasugarblog said...

    and we're next for another nor'easter. really tiring.
    love this bisque.

    Biz said...

    Oh, that sounds delicious! Although I am not a huge fan of sherry (which I know goes on lobster bisque too!) so I may omit that.

    I woke up to an inch of snow on my car, but was happy it didn't deter me from going to the gym! :D

    Have a great day!

    Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

    That looks awesome!!

    The weather here is cold, icy, and cold. haha. At least the sun is out for now!

    Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

    girl i love soups like this! i used to eat crab and lobster bisque like it was going going out of style and i love cooking sherry. this looks awesome


    your comment to me about a tj's, one in SC? you guys are movin' on up!!! That's awesome!

    Katie said...

    I love bisques, but they're usually WAY too creamy for me. This looks so delicious!

    We're about to get slammed with a ton of snow here.

    Pound said...

    yum! i think the snow missed us AGAIN

    Salah (My Healthiest Lifestyle) said...

    This looks amazing! Especially on a cold cold day!

    Faith said...

    This delicious bisque looks like the perfect thing to keep you warm in that weather! I love how light and healthy it is!

    Anonymous said...

    That looks and sounds amazing! We're supposed to get a ton of snow tonight into tomorrow. I hope it's not too bad!

    Corey @ the runner's cookie said...

    I'm glad you were able to work from home in the bad weather! Boston is supposed to get hit HARD tomorrow - I already got the go ahead to work from home. I'm planning on staying in and baking :)
    Your soup looks deliciousss - perfect for a cold day!

    Lea @ Healthy Coconut said...

    Hmm, wonder if I can make this soup with fresh lobster or I can just use crab too, Costco sells a huge can.

    Work from home in sweat pants....sounds fun, I've never done it :(

    The weather here in Southern California is nice. High 60s - mid 70s all week. Finally some good weather, it was raining a lot during the holidays

    Renee Paj said...

    wow..this LOOKS and sounds wonderful!!

    Snowing, snowing, snowing here in Ohio. Winter, what can I say? not my favorite.

    You mean you aren't fans of she crab soup? 82Queen makes the most wonderful she crab soup I have ever tasted...but I am not much of a she crab soup expert! lol It is wonderful though...and so are their shrimp and grits!

    Holly said...

    delicious!! I've actually never had crab bisque....but I would LOVE to try it!

    Weather here is....snowy. But not as bad as I thought! Maybe 3 inches or so?

    Anonymous said...

    There is nothing so satisfying as a soup, am I right? That looks LOVELY Erica! I have a friend who is stranded in your area, trying to fly back here from Richmond. It sounds crazy!
    It's warming up a little, bit it was 4 degrees last night, which is practically unheard of here!

    Simply Life said...

    oh wow, this looks amazing! the weather - fine now but waiting for the predicted 12-18 inches of snow!

    Megan D said...

    We got tons of snow/ice in Charlotte too! Crazy! Nothing you can do but stay inside and make soup :)

    Priyanka said...

    The weather has been pretty much the same as you described. Glad you got to work from home. The bisque looks delicious. Do you to eat seafood?

    On a different note, I have a stylish blogger award for you on my blog :)

    Annie said...

    that sounds soo delicious, i have to try it now!

    it's also freezing here in san francisco!!

    Amy at TheSceneFromMe said...

    My husband would love if I made bisque for him and I would happily make this since you lightened it up!
    Lotsa snow in the midwest! I love to stay in and watch it and that's what I'm gonna do today on my day off!

    Julie said...

    snow day hereeeee :) woo!

    i hear its a BEAST down south! like record weather happenings! i know you must be crying over that i'm crying here and i'm used to the cold and ugly whiteness haha

    i've been on a MAJOR soup kick lately! soup and salad has been my go-to meal lately mainly because it's just so tasty and warm! have a great day girl!

    Esi said...

    Sounds good. I'm on a soup kick lately despite the fact that it's gonna be 80 this weekend.

    Jen said...

    I LOVE lobster bisque so I'm pretty sure I'd LOOOVE this!!

    Have a great Wednesday! xo

    Nicci said...

    Brrrr, it's very cold here in Texas. I think today we are in the 30's...or am I a wimp. I like cold weather but not cold wind. I love soup during the winter months.

    teresa said...

    we had a snowday today too! it's been really nice, so relaxing!

    i'd love to curl up to a bowl of that soup about now, delicious!

    Natalie said...

    It is freezing cold and nasty here! I made a big batch of scotch oatmeal soup yesterday and I can't wait to eat some more of it tonight! :)

    Dawn (HealthySDLiving) said...

    This looks delicious!
    The weather in San Diego is great - I feel so awful for everyone who is snowed in. :(

    Janetha @ meals + moves said...

    BOOKMARKED! Yum, this looks delicious. Wish I could work in sweats. Oh, the life. With dogs cuddled at my feet. One day, maybe? It is COLD here. Like, 10 degrees!

    erica said...

    My bestie recently told me that I HAD to make crab bisque... I am for sure making this lightened up version this weekend. Thank you!

    xo

    lynn said...

    i haven't had crab bisque in years! i happen to LOVE the word bisque....

    it just got amazing in los angeles. 70's all week! come visit!