Whiskey Crab Soup For A Big Party Food

WHISKEY CRAB SOUP FOR A BIG PARTY

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large stock pot. Stir in soup base, and lower heat to a simmer. Melt the butter in a skillet over low heat. Gradually whisk in the flour so as not to form any lumps. Pour this mixture into the broth. Cover, and simmer over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes.
• Pour the marinara sauce into the thickened broth, and season with OLD BAY®, white pepper, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce. Stir until blended, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pot. Add the crabmeat, and stir vigorously to break into pieces.
• Stir in the heavy cream until blended, then mix in the sherry and whiskey. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. If the soup is too salty, add more heavy cream. Add more lemon if there is no tang; more white pepper if not spicy enough. Remove from the heat. Pour into hotel pans to a depth of 4 inches or less, and refrigerate if making ahead of time. Reheat to 140 degrees F (62 degrees C) before serving.

WHISKEYED CRAB SOUP

Steps:

• Clean the crab and remove the meat from the shell.
• Reserve the meat. Use the shell to make the crab stock.
• Crab stock:.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy stockpot.
• Add the crab shells, carrot, onion and celery; brown lightly.
• Add brandy and ignite. When flames have expired, add the water, garlic, bay leaf, tarragon and tomato paste.
• Bring stock to a low simmer for 2 to 3 hours and reduce to 1 quart.
• Strain through a fine sieve and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Soup:.
• Make a roux in a heavy saucepan by melting 4 ounces (1 stick) butter over medium heat. When foam subsides, add the flour all at once. Stir constantly, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring until it is blond-colored (about 5 minutes).
• Add crab stock, cup by cup, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, skim frequently.
• Add heavy cream, juice from the lemon, tabasco, worcestershire, old bay and white pepper. Bring back to simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the whiskey, sherry, 2 tablespoons butter and the reserved crab meat; cook 1 minute to heat through. Salt to taste.