Jumbo Crab Grilled Cheese & Crab Bisque

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup Mirepoix vegetables (Onion, celery, and carrots, chopped for sautéing)
• 2 tbsp Butter (For sautéing vegetables)
• Salt (To taste)
• Black pepper (To taste)
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 2 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 lb Jumbo crab meat (Divided use; half for bisque, half for grilled cheese)
• 4 cup Seafood stock (Enough to cover the vegetables and crab)
• 0.5 cup Heavy cream (Adjust for desired creaminess)
• 4 oz Cream cheese (Softened)
• 1 tbsp Shallots (Finely minced)
• 1 tbsp Fresh chives (Finely chopped)
• 0.5 cup Cheddar cheese (Shredded)
• 0.5 cup Mozzarella cheese (Shredded)
• 4 Croissant loaf (Slices)

Steps

1. 1

   Start by sautéing your mirepoix vegetables (onion, celery, carrots) in a large pot with butter until they begin to soften.

2. 2

   Season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. 3

   Add tomato paste and stir to combine, cooking for a minute to develop flavor.

4. 4

   Add half of the jumbo crab meat and enough seafood stock to cover the ingredients completely.

5. 5

   Simmer the soup until the vegetables are fully cooked and tender.

6. 6

   Remove the crab pieces from the pot and set them aside.

7. 7

   Blend the remaining liquid and vegetable mixture until it is nice and smooth.

8. 8

   Stir in a good amount of heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.

9. 9

   Taste and add final seasonings of salt and pepper as needed.

10. 10

    In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, the remaining half of the crab meat, minced shallots, chives, salt, pepper, shredded cheddar, and shredded mozzarella cheese.

11. 11

    Mix the cheese and crab filling thoroughly until well combined.

12. 12

    Spread the mixture generously between two slices of croissant loaf to form sandwiches.

13. 13

    Toast the sandwiches in a pan over medium heat on all sides until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted and beautiful.

14. 14

    Serve the hot grilled cheese alongside a bowl of the creamy crab bisque.

Notes

Croissant loaf provides a much richer, buttery texture than standard sandwich bread. If you cannot find croissant loaf, thick-cut brioche is a good substitute.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• soup
• seafood
• crab
• bisque
• grilled cheese
• comfort food
• decadent