Cajun Crab & Corn Chowda

prepared and photographed by Emily S. Downs

A spicy chunky soup for crab lovers. Just a spoonful will transport you to Bayou Country. Serve with warm buttermilk biscuits to soak up every morsel.

Size: 6 servings

Ingredients:
SOUP BASE:
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup diced onion
1/4 cup chopped jalapeno peppers
3/4 cup diced celery
1 pinch salt
3/4 tsp seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay), plus more for garnish
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups water
1/2 pound sweet corn kernels (thaw, if frozen)
2 oz fresh crabmeat
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1 cup water
1/2 lb sweet corn kernels (thaw, if frozen)
2 cloves peeled garlic
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6 oz fresh crabmeat
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp Spanish paprika (preferably sweet)
1 bunch thinly sliced green onion for garnish

Directions:

Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat; stir in onion, jalepeno peppers, celery, and a pinch of salt. Cook until onions are soft and translucent, 7 to 10 minutes.

Stir seafood seasoning and cayenne pepper into onion mixture is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.

Pour 2 1/2 cups water, 1/2 pound corn kernels, and 2 ounces crabmeat into the onion mixture; increase heat to medium-high and bring to simmer.

Place 1 cup water, 1/2 pound corn kernels, and garlic into a blender. Cover and puree until smooth.

Pour corn puree into the Dutch oven and bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer until chowder is thicker and the color deepens, about 45 minutes.

Stir 6 ounces of crabmeat, paprika, and heavy cream into chowder. Season with salt and pepper to taste; garnish with green onions and a pinch of seafood seasoning.

Enjoy One of the Best Cups of Cocoa You’ll Ever Have.