Crab Chowder Recipe
🕒 Cook Time: 25 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 45 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4 cups
Description:
Indulge in a delightful Crab Chowder, a quick and easy recipe that satisfies your cravings in just under 45 minutes. This hearty soup is infused with the rich flavors of bacon, tender potatoes, and succulent crab meat, creating a comforting dish perfect for any occasion. If you prefer a thicker consistency, a simple addition of crushed saltines at the end enhances both texture and taste. Dive into this bowl of goodness for a truly satisfying meal!
Ingredients:
- 2 slices bacon
- 1 onion
- 2 boiling potatoes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 pound jumbo lump crab meat
- 3 cups milk
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
- Fresh flat-leaf parsley (for garnish)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Prepare Ingredients: Begin by chopping the bacon into small pieces. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until it turns crispy and golden brown.
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Drain Bacon: Once the bacon is cooked, transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess fat. Ensure to reserve the rendered fat in the pan for added flavor.
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Dice Onion and Potatoes: While the bacon is cooking, finely dice the onion into 1/4-inch pieces. Peel the potatoes and cut them into similar-sized 1/4-inch dice.
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Simmer Onion, Potatoes, and Water: Stir the diced onion and potatoes into the reserved bacon fat in the saucepan. Allow them to simmer, covered, until the potatoes are tender and most of the water has evaporated, which typically takes about 15 minutes.
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Prepare Crab Meat: Meanwhile, carefully pick over the crab meat, removing any unwanted bits of shell or cartilage to ensure a smooth texture in the chowder.
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Add Milk and Cayenne: Once the potato mixture is tender, stir in the milk and cayenne, bringing the mixture back to a gentle simmer.
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Incorporate Crab Meat: Gently fold in the prepared crab meat, ensuring it is evenly distributed throughout the chowder. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
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Final Simmer: Allow the chowder to simmer gently, allowing the flavors to meld together and the crab meat to heat through.
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Serve: Ladle the hot chowder into bowls and garnish each serving with freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley and the crispy bacon reserved earlier.
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Enjoy: Serve this delectable Crab Chowder piping hot, savoring each spoonful of its rich flavors and creamy texture. Pair it with crusty bread or a simple salad for a satisfying meal that’s both hearty and wholesome.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 282.1
- Fat: 11.8g
- Saturated Fat: 5.3g
- Cholesterol: 70.3mg
- Sodium: 338.3mg
- Carbohydrates: 24.9g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Sugar: 11.4g
- Protein: 19g
Recipe Notes:
- For a thicker consistency, consider crushing 6 saltines into fine crumbs and adding them along with the crab meat.
- This recipe is suitable for those looking for a low-cholesterol and healthy option, packed with protein and essential nutrients.
- Customize the seasoning to your preference by adjusting the amount of cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Feel free to double the recipe for larger gatherings or to enjoy leftovers throughout the week.
- Store any leftover chowder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheating gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
