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Bubba’s Crab Stew Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 121 reviews

Bubba’s Crab Stew is a rich and creamy seafood soup featuring fresh crab meat simmered in a flavorful broth infused with fennel, celery, onion, and a touch of sherry. This comforting dish combines the sweetness of crab with the subtle anise notes of fennel, thickened with a roux and enriched with heavy cream, making it perfect for cozy gatherings or an elegant meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 bulb Fennel
  • 2 stalks Celery
  • 1 large Yellow Onion

Dairy and Butter

  • 4 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1 cup Half and Half
  • 1 cup Whole Milk

Pantry Items

  • 0.5 cups Self-Rising Flour
  • 4 cups Crab Base
  • 0.5 cups Cooking Sherry
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Protein

  • 1 pound Crab Meat

Serving

  • 1 loaf Crusty Bread
  • Fresh Herbs to taste (optional, such as dill or parsley)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the fennel bulb, celery stalks, and yellow onion using a food processor until smooth. Set this vegetable mixture aside for later use.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for 5-7 minutes until they become soft and translucent, enhancing their sweetness and flavor.
  3. Add Flour: Stir in 0.5 cups of self-rising flour into the sautéed vegetables, mixing well to ensure it is fully absorbed. Continue cooking for 8-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and develops a lightly golden color, creating a flavorful roux.
  4. Add Liquids and Bring to Boil: Gradually pour in 4 cups of crab base, 1 cup of heavy cream, 0.5 cups of cooking sherry, 1 cup of half and half, and 1 cup of whole milk while stirring continuously. Stir the mixture thoroughly to combine all ingredients and bring it to a gentle boil.
  5. Simmer the Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer for 8-10 minutes while stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together and the stew to thicken slightly.
  6. Add Crab and Season: Remove the stew from heat and gently fold in 1 pound of crab meat. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning to your preference.
  7. Serve: Serve the crab stew hot accompanied by crusty bread for dipping. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs such as dill or parsley to add brightness and color.

Notes

  • Fennel can be substituted with leeks for a milder flavor.
  • Self-rising flour can be replaced with all-purpose flour mixed with baking powder for thickening.
  • Use seafood bouillon as a substitute if crab base is unavailable.
  • White wine can replace cooking sherry if desired.
  • For a lighter version, half-and-half can substitute heavy cream.
  • Fresh crab meat provides the best flavor; however, canned or frozen crab can be used in a pinch.
  • Serve with crusty bread to soak up the stew’s rich broth.

Keywords: crab stew, seafood soup, creamy crab soup, fennel, sherry, Southern crab stew, comfort food, seafood chowder

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/bubbas-crab-stew-recipe/