Spicy Cajun Crab Soup

Man, it is cold outside! Living this close to Lake Michigan has its advantages in summer, but that lake effect we often get in winter is not enviable. Ugh…

But don’t get me wrong, I do love the season change. I mean, who wants Christmas under a palm tree and 80 degrees Fahrenheit? Not me. The things I love about each season: the smell of air in the spring, summer rain, autumn cloud formations and soup in winter.  Actually, I love the white winter nights but soup is right up there. I would be happy to hibernate during winters wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a good book and a bowl of soup. By hibernate I mean: I do not wish to leave the house, do house chores or be bothered by anyone. Morgan Freeman was the first to tell you to forget alcohol and that hot soup is the best to do in winter because the process of digesting food helps warm you up. In my family soup was served once a day, usually preceding main meal. Mom’s soups are the best.

I have been making this spicy crab soup ever since I found the recipe in Bon Appétit Magazine some ten years ago.  It is manly man kind of a soup and guys love it. Cajun seasoning spikes this soup up with heat, so you need to adjust according to your taste. I have served it for poker nights, super bowl nights and some more romantic nights as well. The heat and the red color are perfect combination for Valentine’s dinner for two. Add heart shaped croutons for a nice touch and a good start to a promising night. ;)

Ingredients:

Serves 6

1 pound lump Crab Meat

2 ½ cups bottled Clam Juice
1 6-oz bag baby Spinach Leaves
¼ cup all- purpose Flour
1 Garlic Clove, pressed
2 cans Diced Tomatoes with caramelized onions, in juice (about 14-oz each)
3-5 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (I only use 2 and it is plenty spicy for me)
1 tablespoon fresh Thyme, chopped
¼ cup vegetable Oil

Directions:

 

In a heavy large saucepan whisk oil and flour over medium-high heat until smooth and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add enough Cajun seasoning to season to your taste and stir 30 seconds. Add clam juice and stir until smooth. Add tomatoes with juices. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 3 minutes. Add spinach, thyme, and garlic and simmer until spinach is just wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in crab meat and simmer until heated through, stirring gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with French bread and side salad. This soup will warm up your body, your ever-loving heart and soul.
 

 

I stayed home today with a sore throat and severe cough. Not ideal way of using my day off but when I’m feeling sick, the last place I want to be is in the office. I’m sure everyone there appreciates me not spreading my germs among them. The boredom got the best of me and I searched the net for other food blogs. I know, even when I’m sick I think of food. I found many, many great ones and I will be linking them here sooner or later, but Melissa’s caught my attention with her blog's intriguing name first and then I spent all morning browsing through it. Great, and I mean GREAT tips for the aspiring blogger. It was all overwhelming a bit, but all so beneficial. Check out her creations and recipes at Serendipity and Spice