How to Make Paula Deen She Crab Soup Recipe at Home
If you have spent any time in the south before, you have probably heard of the Paula Deen She Crab Soup Recipe. The she crab soup recipe is especially popular in Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. It is time that you found out why!
What Are The Requirements For This Recipe?
In order to put together this recipe in your own home, you are going to need 14 different ingredients. It will take you roughly 35 minutes and the Paula Deen she crab soup clocks in at 623 calories.
Ingredients
In order to create a batch of the Paula Deen she crab soup that will provide 10 servings, the following ingredients are required:
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: 1 cup
- White pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Sherry: 1/4 cup
- Paula Deen Lemon Pepper Seasoning: 1/2 teaspoon
- Crab meat that has been picked free of shelling: 1 pound
- Heavy cream: 1 cup
- Milk: 1 cup
- Fish stock: 2 cups
- All-purpose flour: 3 tablespoons
- Chopped fresh chives: 1/2 cup
- Butter: 1/2 stick (or 4 tablespoons)
- Minced garlic: 2 teaspoons
- Green onions chopped with tops: 3/4 cup
Cooking Directions
To get started, the chopped green onion and garlic must be sautéed in the butter until it reaches optimal tenderness. From there, stir in the flour and don’t stop until the mixture has been properly blended. The two cups of fish stock are then added, as slowly as possible. You’ll want to continue to cook the mixture until it is bubbly and smooth.
At this time, the milk and cream are slowly added to the mixture. Take that crab meat and stir that in as well. The lemon pepper seasoning, white pepper, salt and sherry are added now. Allow the mixture to simmer until it is as hot as possible. The seasoning should be adjusted as you are cooking, according to your personal likes and dislikes.
Once the dip is complete, it can be served. For best results, serve the Paula Deen she crab soup in bowls. Chives and cheese make for a wonderful topping.
3 Crucial Pointers For Making Paula Deen She Crab Soup
Did you know that the best variations of this recipe are crafted from the local blue crabs that are found within South Carolina’s Low Country region? While many of us are not going to be able to source our crabs from this region, you can also make Paula Deen she crab soup out of lump crab meat.
Many of us dream of making she crab soup that can stand up to the quality level of Charleston area eateries but we are not always given the tools that we need. That’s why these tips are so important. Be sure to read on and learn more about these helpful pointers:
Be Willing To Experiment
There is no reason to adhere to any recipe to the letter and Paula Deen she crab soup is certainly no different in that regard. The more willing you are to experiment, the more likely you are to come up with a formula that works specifically for your taste buds. After all, a she crab soup that works for you may not be someone else’s cup of tea.
Whether you are utilizing different seasonings, vegetables or stocks, there are no shortage of options for you to enjoy. For example, have you taken the time to consider all of the potentially awesome vegetables that you may not have tried out yet? Even something as simple as shallots can be added to the recipe, producing excellent (and tasty!) results.
Peppers are another excellent idea, as you can choose from a spicier option (such as jalapeños) or opt for bell peppers. This decision will depend on your appetite for spice. Meanwhile, those who are more appreciative of the richer seafood taste are going to want to strongly consider adding clam juice or crab roe.
For added acidity, lemon juice and white wine are excellent choices. Anyone who wants a bit of added flavor can choose from a plethora of different seasoning options. Maybe you’re a Cajun seasoning fan or you have some dried herbs you’d like to try out? Either way, the possibilities are endless. Chicken stock or vegetable stock can be used instead of fish stock if need be (or taste dictates).
Ditching Dairy
There are a number of people who may prefer an iteration of this salad that does not contain any dairy, for either health reasons or reasons related to personal taste. For a lighter version of this soup, you can make some very easy swaps. Instead of using cream, you can grab some unsweetened non-dairy creamer.
If you would like to create a broth-based version of this dish, this is a very simple substitution as well. In these instances, it is in your best interests to lose the cream entirely. There will be no negative impact to the overall taste of the soup.
Using Crab Meat From a Can
This may seem like a massive no/no to some, but there is actually nothing wrong with utilizing canned crab meat here. For many, location is a major issue. This is what frightens would-be chefs from putting together their own Paula Deen she crab soup at home. They believe that a lack of access to fresher options puts this dish slightly out of their reach.
In reality, it is perfectly okay to swap out the fresher crab meats for crab meat that comes from a can. There is one warning that we must issue, though. Do not make the mistake of using imitation crab meat in these instances. It does not contain any actual crab meat and it is not very good for you, either.
How Bad Is Imitation Crab Meat For You?
Imitation crab meat has never been considered a viable option by many health experts and it might be even worse for us than we realize. It all starts with a common misconception. Many have been led to believe that imitation crab meat is vegan. In reality, it is not even vegetarian and anyone who trusts it for these reasons is operating under false pretenses.
Additionally, imitation crab meat is very low in nutrients when compared to other options. There is less protein, selenium and Vitamin B12 present when imitation crab meat is purchased. There is far more starch present than there would be with crab meat and excessive carbs are another concern. Several harmful food additives can be found and there is little to no fiber to speak of. Imitation crab meat is also linked to blood sugar spikes and crashes.
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