Crab Stew

This Nordic-inspired Crab Stew is a rich and flavorful dish, made with a homemade seafood stock that provides depth and sweetness. Featuring crab, shrimp, and white fish, the stew is well-balanced with tender potatoes and a light creaminess. Perfect for colder weather, it’s a comforting and warming dish that’s sure to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Broth:

  • 8 oz crab legs (pre-cooked and thawed)

  • 1 small onion (finely chopped, peels saved for stock)

  • 1 small carrot (finely chopped, peels saved for stock)

  • 4 cloves garlic (minced, peels saved for stock)

  • 1 small fennel bulb (finely chopped, fronds and tougher bits saved for stock)

  • 1/2 cup dill (finely chopped, with some stems reserved for stock)

  • 1/8 tsp whole black peppercorns

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 1 cup clam juice

  • 2 cups water

For the Stew:

  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

  • Salt and black pepper (to taste)

  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as chardonnay or sauvignon blanc)

  • 8 oz waxy potatoes (peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes)

  • 2/3 lb raw seafood (such as shrimp or white fish, cut into 1-inch chunks)

  • 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream (room temperature)

For Serving:

  • Warm crusty bread

  • Extra-virgin olive oil

  • Optional: creme fraiche, Greek yogurt, or skyr

Directions

  1. Make the Stock:

    • Crack open the crab legs, remove the meat, and set it aside for later use. Tear or crack the crab shells and place them into a pot. Add the onion peels, carrot peels, garlic peels, fennel fronds, dill stems, bay leaf, peppercorns, clam juice, and water.

    • Bring to a boil, skim off any scum, and simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid becomes deep golden-brown.

    • Strain the stock through a fine mesh sieve, discarding the solids, and set the liquid aside. You should have about 2 cups of stock.

  2. Cook the Stew:

    • In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté the onion, carrot, garlic, and fennel until soft and golden (about 11-13 minutes). Season with salt and pepper.

    • Add the white wine, bring to a boil, and reduce by half to concentrate the flavor.

    • Add the homemade stock and potatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the potatoes are tender but still firm (about 10 minutes).

  3. Prepare the Cream-Egg Mixture:

    • In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk and heavy cream until smooth. Set aside.

  4. Finish the Stew:

    • Reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Add the crab meat and seafood (fish and shrimp). Cook until the seafood is just done (about 2 minutes).

    • Turn off the heat and gently stir in the cream-egg mixture and most of the dill until well combined.

    • Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

  5. Serve:

    • Divide the stew among bowls, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with extra dill. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread and optional creme fraiche, Greek yogurt, or skyr.

Nutrients

  • Calories: 569 kcal

  • Carbohydrates: 42g

  • Protein: 28g

  • Fat: 29g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

  • Cholesterol: 137mg

  • Sodium: 630mg

  • Potassium: 1418mg

  • Fiber: 6g

  • Sugar: 13g

  • Vitamin A: 4059 IU

  • Vitamin C: 41mg

  • Calcium: 147mg

  • Iron: 3mg

The Secret Behind the Homemade Seafood Stock

The key to creating a rich, flavorful stew is the homemade seafood stock, which is made from crab shells, vegetable peels, and herbs. This stock is packed with depth, bringing out the natural sweetness of the crab and enhancing the overall flavor of the stew. By simmering the crab shells, onion peels, garlic peels, fennel fronds, and dill stems, you extract all the essential flavors that form the foundation of the dish.

Clam juice and water are added to this mixture to intensify the flavor, and the broth is simmered for 20 minutes until it turns a beautiful golden brown. The result is a savory and aromatic liquid that perfectly complements the seafood and vegetables in the stew. It’s a simple yet impactful step that makes this dish stand out, offering a homemade touch that adds both richness and complexity.

The Perfect Seafood Combination

In this stew, crab, shrimp, and white fish come together to create a luxurious combination of textures and flavors. The crab meat is tender and sweet, while the shrimp adds a subtle briny flavor, and the white fish, such as tilapia, contributes a delicate flakiness that contrasts beautifully with the richness of the broth.

When preparing the stew, it’s important to cook the seafood just until done, so it remains tender and succulent. Overcooking can lead to a rubbery texture, so it’s best to add the seafood towards the end of the cooking process. The fish and shrimp take only a couple of minutes to cook through, and this ensures they stay perfectly moist and flavorful. The crab meat is added earlier to infuse the broth with its sweetness.

Tender Potatoes and Light Creaminess

The potatoes in this stew are an essential element, providing heartiness and a subtle earthiness that balances out the richness of the broth and seafood. Waxy potatoes are the ideal choice, as they hold their shape well when simmered and add a comforting texture to the dish. These potatoes are simmered in the broth until tender but still firm, making them the perfect complement to the light creaminess of the stew.

The addition of a cream-egg mixture adds a velvety smooth texture and a slight richness to the dish without overpowering the seafood. The egg yolk and cream are whisked together and gently stirred into the stew after the seafood has been added, ensuring the stew retains its delicate balance of flavors while achieving a creamy, comforting finish.

Seasoning and Balance of Flavors

Seasoning is key to bringing all the flavors together. The stew is seasoned with salt and pepper, but the real magic comes from the herbs and spices. Fresh dill provides a distinctly Scandinavian touch, offering a burst of freshness that brightens up the dish. A bit of bay leaf and cracked black pepper help to enhance the savory qualities of the broth, while the touch of turmeric adds a subtle warmth and depth to the flavor.

Lemon juice and white wine add acidity and freshness, cutting through the richness of the cream and creating a well-balanced stew that doesn’t feel too heavy. The flavors meld together beautifully as the stew simmers, allowing the ingredients to absorb the savory broth.

How to Make Nordic-Inspired Crab Stew

  1. Making the Seafood Stock: Begin by cracking the crab legs and setting the meat aside for later. Place the crab shells into a pot along with the vegetable peels and herbs. Add clam juice and water, bring to a boil, and simmer for about 20 minutes until the liquid is a deep golden color. Strain the stock to remove solids, and you’re left with a rich and flavorful base for your stew.

  2. Cooking the Stew: In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté onions, carrots, garlic, and fennel until soft and golden. This will build the base flavor of the stew. Then, add the white wine to deglaze the pan and reduce the liquid by half, intensifying the flavor. Add the homemade seafood stock and diced potatoes, and simmer until the potatoes are tender.

  3. Preparing the Creamy Egg Mixture: While the stew simmers, whisk together the egg yolk and heavy cream until smooth. This will add the creamy texture that makes the stew comforting and luxurious.

  4. Finishing the Stew: Once the potatoes are tender, add the crab meat and seafood to the pot, cooking for just a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat and gently stir in the cream-egg mixture and fresh dill. Taste the stew and adjust the seasoning as needed.

  5. Serving: Serve the stew in bowls, drizzling with extra virgin olive oil and garnishing with more fresh dill. Serve immediately with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth.

Serving Suggestions for Nordic-Inspired Crab Stew

This stew is the perfect dish to serve with warm crusty bread for dipping, allowing you to enjoy every drop of the flavorful broth. You could also serve it with a simple side salad of mixed greens or a cucumber salad for added freshness. If you want to go the extra mile, a dollop of crème fraiche, Greek yogurt, or skyr adds a touch of tangy creaminess that complements the stew beautifully.

Pair the stew with a crisp white wine, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, to further enhance the light, fresh flavors of the dish.

Nutritional Information

Nordic-inspired Crab Stew is a nutritious and well-balanced meal that provides a good amount of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Each serving contains approximately 569 calories, with 28g of protein from the seafood. The stew also provides 29g of fat, including 10g of saturated fat, primarily from the cream and olive oil. It’s relatively low in carbohydrates (42g) and provides a good amount of potassium (1418mg) and calcium (147mg). The dish is rich in vitamins, including vitamin A (4059 IU) and vitamin C (41mg) from the vegetables.

Conclusion

Nordic-inspired Crab Stew is a flavorful and comforting dish that brings together the best of seafood with a rich, aromatic broth. The homemade seafood stock, tender seafood, and creamy finish create a hearty, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any occasion, especially when the weather calls for something warming. This dish is a great way to showcase fresh seafood while incorporating traditional Nordic flavors. Serve it with crusty bread and a side salad for a complete and memorable meal.

Leave a Comment