Seafood Bisque + East Block Chardonnay

Seafood Bisque
2018 Knights Bridge Chardonnay, East Block

Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
​Cook time: 30 minutes

This rich, comforting soup needs nothing more than a simple salad, crusty bread, and a glass of East Block Chardonnay for an easy winter dinner.

Seafood Bisque

Ingredients
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 lb. medium shrimp – peeled, deveined and sliced into ½-inch pieces
1 lb. bay scallops
½ lb. fresh-picked lump crab meat
1 cup finely chopped celery
½ cup finely chopped carrot
¼ cup finely chopped shallot
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups half and half
½ cup Chardonnay
4 cups seafood stock
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
½ teaspoon pepper (to taste)
Freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Method
In a Dutch oven, melt 3 tablespoons butter over medium high heat. Add shrimp and scallops and cook until shrimp are pink, stirring frequently, about 3 minutes. Remove shrimp and scallops with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl or on a plate, leaving juices in pot. Lower heat to medium, add remaining 3 tablespoons butter, celery, carrots, shallots, and garlic; cook and stir for 4 minutes. Add flour while continuing to stir, cook for 3 minutes. Add half and half, wine and seafood stock, and whisk to incorporate. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook on low for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Return shrimp and scallops to pot, along with lump crab, Old Bay Seasoning, nutmeg, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine then simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve ladled into warmed bowls, topped with fresh chopped parsley, alongside warm crusty bread.