SWEET RED PEPPER AND CRAB BISQUE

SWEET RED PEPPER AND CRAB BISQUE image

Yield 6 people

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning or other seafood spice blend
3 cups fish stock or bottled clam juice
1/2 cup diced peeled russet potato
1/4 cup half and half

Steps:

Melt butter in heavy medium saucepan over low heat. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and Old Bay Seasoning. Cover; cook 10 minutes, stirring twice. Add stock and potato; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer until potato is very tender, about 30 minutes. Working in batches, puree soup in blender. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Return soup to saucepan. Add half and half; bring to simmer. Mix in crab. Season with salt and pepper. Cover; let stand 1 minute. Ladle into bowls.