Best of the Bay Recipes...she Crab Soup

Laura (Chef #899053)'s Note:

The Chesapeake Bay area is famous for its wealth of seafood: Crab Cakes, Oyster Stew, Steamed Crabs and much more. These culinary favorites are steeped in tradition and prepared with intense pride. The locals are perhaps best known for their culinary love affair with the famous Blue Crab -- and this traditional and delicious She Crab Soup is made from the sweet, delicate meat of the She Crab. A bit of roe adds richness and flavor. Its elegant bisque-like creaminess will delight your senses.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6

Yield: 12.0 cups

• 12 female crabs, all the meat picked plus
• orange crab roe
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 12 cups fish stock (a flavorful vegetable or chicken stock may be substituted for the fish stock if necessary)
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 dash Tabasco sauce (optional)
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 1 lemon, juice of, freshly squeezed

Directions:

1. Purchase one dozen female crabs already steamed or buy them live and steam them yourself. Pick the crabs for all their meat and reserve the orange roe. In a sauté pan, melt 4 tablespoons butter and sauté the onion and shallots until just tender.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes while stirring, taking care not to brown the flour mixture. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and stock. Add in the salt, pepper, Worcestershire Sauce and Tabasco (if using). Cook on medium until the soup thickens, about 15 – 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. While you are thickening the soup, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan and toss the crabmeat and roe until heated through, 3-4 minutes. Once the soup has thickened add the crabmeat mixture and stir. Add the sherry and lemon juice and simmer for several minutes until heated through.
4. Serve with a light salad of mixed greens and French bread and enjoy!
5. You can send a gift of She Crab Soup to a loved one too far away to get Blue Crabs with our popular Chesapeake Bay Tradition Gift Basket. (link: http://www.chesapeakebaygiftbaskets.com/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=156).