Crawfish Bisque Recipe 🦞
Description
Indulge in the flavors of the South with this delightful Crawfish Bisque recipe from lovewithrecipes.com. Perfect for any occasion, this dish combines the rich essence of crawfish with a medley of aromatic vegetables and spices, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Overview
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes
- Servings: Not specified
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup bacon fat
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 onion
- 1-2 cloves of garlic
- 1 celery stalk & leaves
- 4 scallions
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1-2 allspice berries
- 3 cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (to taste)
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 3 cups crayfish tails
- Cooked rice for serving
Instructions
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Heat the oil: Begin by heating the bacon fat in a large, heavy pan over medium heat.
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Make the roux: Add the all-purpose flour to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until it forms a medium brown roux, resembling the color of peanut butter.
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Sauté the aromatics: Stir in the chopped onion, minced garlic, diced celery (including the leaves), and the white parts of the scallions. Cook until softened, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
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Prepare the broth: Gradually pour in the water, stirring constantly to incorporate the liquid into the roux. Then, add the tomato paste, dried thyme, bay leaf, 4 tablespoons of chopped parsley, allspice berries, cloves, salt, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper (adjust to taste), and lemon juice.
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Bring to a boil: Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring well to ensure all ingredients are well combined.
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Add crawfish tails: If available, chop about one-quarter of the crayfish tails and add them to the pot along with any fat that may be available. This step enhances the flavor and texture of the bisque.
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Simmer: Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Allow the bisque to simmer gently for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
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Incorporate remaining tails: After an hour of simmering, add the remaining whole crayfish tails to the bisque. Continue to simmer, covered, for an additional 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Add final touches: Stir in the green parts of the scallions and the remaining chopped parsley to add freshness and color to the bisque.
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Serve: Ladle the hot Crawfish Bisque over a bed of cooked rice and enjoy the delightful flavors of this classic Cajun dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Garnish with extra chopped parsley or sliced scallions for added freshness and visual appeal.
- Pair with a side of crusty French bread or cornbread to soak up every last drop of the savory bisque.
- For an extra kick of heat, serve with a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on top.
Note
- For an authentic touch, consider adding stuffed crawfish heads to the bisque just before serving. Simply thaw them if frozen and add them to the pot 5 minutes before serving for a visually stunning presentation.