Imagine a creamy, luxurious soup that captures the essence of the ocean in every single spoonful - welcome to the ultimate seafood bisque experience! This Marina Cafe Seafood Bisque isn't just a recipe; it's a culinary journey that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that will have your dinner guests begging for seconds. Whether you're a seafood lover or just looking to impress your family with a gourmet meal, this bisque promises to be your new go-to comfort food that's surprisingly easy to prepare.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb mixed seafood (shrimp, crab, fish)
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup carrot, chopped
- 4 cups seafood stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing all your ingredients. Chop the onion, celery, and carrot into small, even pieces to ensure they cook uniformly. Set aside.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to fully melt and start to bubble, but do not let it brown.
- Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrot to the pot. Sauté the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are softened and the onion becomes translucent.
- While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the mixed seafood. If using frozen seafood, ensure it is thawed and drained. Cut any larger pieces of fish into bite-sized chunks.
- Once the vegetables are ready, add the 4 cups of seafood stock to the pot. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- After simmering, add the mixed seafood to the pot. Stir gently to incorporate the seafood into the bisque.
- Continue to simmer the bisque for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and opaque. Be careful not to overcook the seafood, as it can become tough.
- Once the seafood is cooked, lower the heat and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Mix well and allow the bisque to heat through for another 2-3 minutes.
- Season the bisque with salt and pepper to taste. Start with a small amount, taste, and adjust as necessary.
- Remove the pot from heat. If desired, use an immersion blender to puree the bisque to your desired consistency, or leave it chunky for a more rustic texture.
- Serve the seafood bisque hot, garnished with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika if desired. Enjoy your delicious Marina Cafe Seafood Bisque!
Tips
- Use the freshest seafood possible - the quality of your seafood will directly impact the flavor of your bisque.
- Don't rush the vegetable sautéing process; allowing them to soften slowly develops a deeper flavor base.
- Be careful not to overcook the seafood - it can become tough and rubbery. Remove from heat as soon as it turns opaque.
- For an extra luxurious touch, consider using a mix of seafood like shrimp, crab, and white fish for varied texture.
- If you prefer a smoother bisque, use an immersion blender to create a velvety consistency.
- Save time by chopping vegetables in advance and using pre-cleaned seafood.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream without losing too much richness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Cholesterol: 180mg
