Tag Archives: Crab

The first time I had ever had this soup was on a visit to Arlington, Virginia last year.  I ordered it via room service from our hotel and to this day, I swear it is the best soup I’ve ever had!  Like I do so many dishes that we try while dining out or on our travels, I had to try to create it at home.  Mr. Foodie and I are crab lovers, no doubt about it.  Being from the San Francisco Bay Area, we primarily eat Dungeness crab and do not come across Blue Crab all that much.  I recently found some lump Blue Crab claw meat and decided to make this soup yesterday to warm up in the rainy, cold weather.  With some homemade rolls, it very much hit the spot!  It’s a very rich soup and one nice bowl is more than enough to fill your belly and soul, definitely not a soup we could eat regularly.

I used a basic cream soup recipe base and add the crab and flavors to it.  I find this to be the best and most versatile way to play with the flavors and really get the one I’m wanting.  This recipe made about 4 servings.

CREAM OF CRAB SOUP

Ingredients:

1 Stick of Butter (8 TBS)

Juice of One Large Lemon

2 Tsp Onion, minced very fine

2 1/2 Tsp Old Bay Seasoning

4 TBS All Purpose Flour

4 Cups Half–n-Half Cream

1 1/2 Cups Blue Crab Meat, picked clean of cartilage/shells

1 Tsp Celery Seed

1/2 to 1 Tsp Salt

Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Fresh or Dried Parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1.  In a heavy saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter.  Once all butter is melted, add the onion, lemon juice and Old Bay seasoning.

2.  Add the flour and combine into a roux.

3.  Add half-n-half and whisk frequently until completely combined.

4.  Bring mixture just to a boil, mixture will start to thicken.

5.  Lower heat, add crab meat, salt, and celery seed.  Simmer mixture on low for about 15 minutes.

6.  Garnish with fresh black pepper and parsley if desired.  Serve immediately.