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Bubba’s Crab Stew: Creamy Comfort for Cozy Nights Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 61 reviews

Bubba’s Crab Stew is a creamy, comforting seafood dish perfect for cozy nights. It features sautéed fennel, celery, and onions thickened with self-rising flour and richened with heavy cream, cooking sherry, half-and-half, and milk, all blended with a savory crab base and fresh crab meat. Served best with crusty bread, this stew offers a harmonious blend of subtle anise, sweetness, and indulgent textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1 bulb Fennel (adds subtle anise flavor and freshness; can substitute with leeks for a milder taste)
  • 2 stalks Celery (provides crunch and a slight peppery flavor; no substitutions)
  • 1 large Yellow Onion (enhances sweetness and depth; yellow onion offers the best balance)

Liquids and Dairy

  • 4 tablespoons Butter (adds richness and helps in sautéing; can be swapped with olive oil)
  • 0.5 cups Self-Rising Flour (acts as a thickening agent; regular flour can be used with baking powder)
  • 4 cups Crab Base (imparts concentrated crab flavor; seafood bouillon can be used as a substitute)
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream (contributes to luxurious texture; half-and-half can replace it)
  • 0.5 cups Cooking Sherry (adds depth with a hint of sweetness; white wine can serve as a replacement)
  • 1 cup Half and Half (balances creaminess; can substitute with milk)
  • 1 cup Whole Milk (provides liquidity; non-dairy milk can also be used for a vegan option)

Seafood and Seasoning

  • 1 pound Crab Meat (fresh is ideal, but canned or frozen crab can be used)
  • Salt to taste (essential for seasoning)
  • Pepper to taste (essential for seasoning)

Serving

  • 1 loaf Crusty Bread (perfect for dipping and soaking up the broth)
  • Fresh Herbs to taste (optional, adds brightness; can use dill or parsley)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Vegetables: Finely chop the fennel bulb, celery stalks, and yellow onion using a food processor until you achieve a smooth mix. Set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large heavy saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped vegetables and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until they become soft and translucent, releasing their flavors.
  3. Add Flour: Stir in 0.5 cups of self-rising flour, mixing it thoroughly until fully absorbed by the vegetables. Continue cooking for 8 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and lightly golden, which helps remove the raw flour taste.
  4. Add Liquids: Gradually pour in 4 cups of crab base, 1 cup heavy cream, 0.5 cups cooking sherry, 1 cup half-and-half, and 1 cup whole milk, stirring to combine well. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil to activate thickening.
  5. Simmer Stew: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the stew simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
  6. Incorporate Crab Meat: Remove the saucepan from heat and gently fold in 1 pound of crab meat, careful not to break up the pieces. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
  7. Serve: Ladle the creamy crab stew into bowls, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve hot alongside a loaf of crusty bread for dipping and soaking up the delicious broth.

Notes

  • Substitute fennel with leeks for a milder, less anise-like flavor.
  • When using regular flour instead of self-rising flour, add 1.5 teaspoons of baking powder to achieve similar thickening.
  • Seafood bouillon can substitute crab base if unavailable, but may alter flavor slightly.
  • For a lighter stew, use half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
  • Use fresh crab meat for the best texture and taste; canned or frozen crab will work in a pinch.
  • Adjust seasoning at the end, as the crab base and sherry add saltiness.
  • Fresh herbs like dill or parsley brighten the richness of the stew.
  • Crusty bread is essential to enjoy with this stew, providing texture and a way to savor the broth.

Keywords: crab stew, creamy crab soup, seafood stew, cozy comfort food, southern crab recipe

Find it online: https://kochenmitviktoria.com/bubbas-crab-stew-creamy-comfort-for-cozy-nights-recipe/