Creamy Chicken Soup
Crab soup gets its natural orange colour from the crab or lobster shells which are boiled through the cooking process. Recipe additions such as tomato puree and paprika also contribute to the soup’s notable orange undertones. However, not all crab soup variants carry the same colour, and additions such as cream for example may give the soup a lighter colour.
There are many different things you can try to achieve a thicker texture and consistency in your crab soup. For example, cornstarch or roux, a mixture of flour and fat, can be added to your crab soup throughout the cooking process to increase thickness; or you could simply reduce the amount of liquid by simmering your soup on a low heat for a longer time. Finally, blending some of the ingredients, such as the seafood, can also add a thicker consistency to your crab soup.
While the most obvious solution to increase the flavour of crab in your soup would be to add more crab meat, there are other less-obvious alternatives you can try. Firstly, the fresher the crab meat, the more taste your crab soup will pack. If possible, try using more lump crab meat in particular, rather than meat found in the claws, to add a stronger and sweeter crab taste to your soup. You can even try adding crab roe (also known as crab eggs) to your stock to enhance crab taste. Finally, simply reducing the balance of other aromatic ingredients can also help to bring out the crab flavour in your soup.
Make sure to refrigerate your crab soup so you can reheat and enjoy it again. Generally, if chilled, seafood can be reheated and consumed no more than 4-5 days after the meal was first prepared. Be sure to store it in a sealable container to avoid spoiling the rich character of the crab meat. Reheat it slowly and over a low heat, without boiling, until it becomes piping hot. As always, use your judgement before deciding whether to reheat and consume. The usual risks when reheating seafood should be considered and it’s important to check for any signs of expiry, such as any change in smell.
Packed full of flavour, crab soup can bring the aroma, sight, sound and taste of the seaside right to your dinner table. The sweet and slightly salty taste of these crawly crustaceans are brought to life with the richness of the onions and ground vegetables, the spice of the paprika and the citrusy essence of lemons. It’s then balanced the perfection with a range of herbs, spices and seasonings.
You don’t always need to be beside the seaside to enjoy the taste of the seaside!
Preparing crabs at home carries a pinch of risks, so it’s important to know what you’re doing. If you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask your local fish monger for help to prepare your crabs.
However, there’s nothing like fresh crab meat, and if you’re prepared to take the plunge at home, here are some simple steps to preparing your crab at home:
While freshly caught crab is the best way to bring out the freshness, flavour and nutritional value of your crab soup, not everyone lives close to the seaside, and certainly not everyone has the time to catch crab at weekends.
Store-bought crab is a convenient, readily available and more affordable alternative to fresh crab when making your crab soup. However, as is often the case with goods that are processed and packaged, you may have to accept some compromises when it comes to taste. Try experimenting with both and see which variant your tastebuds – and budget – prefer!
While our menu uses seasoning such as paprika, lemon, salt and pepper, there are many other herb and spice options that you can add to bring out the flavour in your crab soup.
Our top pick is dill, an especially good pairing with the delicate sweetness of crab. Other popular herbs and spices include thyme, basil, and parsley. You may also want to add seasoning mixes such as the classic old bay seasoning. If you want to add a touch of creole to your crab soup, you can try spicing it up with paprika, or even chillies and hot sauces such as Tabasco.
Keep in mind that when seasoning a little goes a long way, and it’s best to add little by little.
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