How to make a shrimp and crab chowder for your next special dinner. This restaurant-style soup is sure to amaze your guests!
At the beginning of this year, I received an invitation to participate in a Recipe Swap of sorts from Christianna of Burwell General Store. During her travels, Christianna had found an old time hymnal and cookbook ( All-Day Singin’ and Dinner on the Ground by Albert E. Brumley) and thought it would be fun to take the older recipes and update them giving them our own twist.
The rules of the swap are pretty simple, change 3 things about the original recipe while staying true to the basic premise of the recipe while adding your own twist to the recipe. This months Selection for the recipe swap was “Wild Rabbit with Vegetables”
Now I have to tell you, the thought of eating a little fluffy bunny is not high on my list, I do understand they’re considered good eatin’ in certain parts of the world, but I’m afraid rabbit has not made its way into my repertoire.
As I looked over the recipe, it really didn’t look much different than any stew I could make, and chicken would have been the easiest substitution for the little fluffy bunny….sigh.
But, I had Shrimp and jumbo lump crab meat on hand and rather than make a trip to the store, I decided to make my entry in this months swap a Seafood stew. I did have some fish pieces in the freezer but they looked a little worse for the wear and instead of ingredients in the stew, found their way into the stock pot with all the shrimp shells I had been saving.
This would have made a wonderful fisherman’s stew with chunks of fish and even a few clams, but without the fish, I decided to make version into a chowder, it was without a doubt a good decision and will be making many more appearances at our table. Feel free to recreate this dish with whatever seafood you have on hand or is available in your area.
Any way you make it, I’m sure it will be a hit at your table!
If you’ve tried my Chowder recipe or any other recipe on askchefdennis.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram @chefdenniseats and @chefdennistravels, Twitter and Facebook.
Candace
Chef, you did an amazing job updating this recipe into something that I would absolutely love to try. It looks delicious. I’ve buzzed it and I’ve printed it to try soon. The swamp maples are already starting to turn up here so I am thinking really hard about food like this these days. I hope you have a happy Labor Day and a wonderful school year. It seems like you were just starting your summer vacation. Where does time go? Candace
Lana
I am sure that the rabbit does not mind one bit that shrimp and crab took its place! The chowder looks amazing, especially with that gorgeous crusty bread on the side.
A lot of my friends bring me bones and fish heads that I use to make a stock they probably think I am nuts – but you can definitely tell the difference in stews and other seafood dishes
Congrats on yet another year at the school! Those girls are lucky!.
Ridwan
This soup sound really Yum,i will save the recipe,will make it sometime 🙂
Dawnie
Oh yum this sounds so good to me!
Elin
Slurp slurp slurping away ( in my mind )…that is so mouthwatering…crabs and shrimps are my favorites. Great one and I have KIV this when I next buy some crabs 🙂
Have a nice day Chef Dennis,
Elin
raquel @ Erecipe
I hate it, because when I see your food my tummy is growling… now I am craving for this =)
Lori
A great swap out for poor Fluffy! This would have been perfect to take the chill off this evening. I wish I had smell-o-internet!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
Love this vintage cookbook swap! I would have definitely started with swapping out that rabbit first! Eeekkkk!!
mangiabella
mmmm sounds great Chef, a wonderful substitution indeed
alex
shrimp and crab always win in my book! I’ll be making this over the fall!
Boulder Locavore
Love your update of the recipe! I think this is our most provocative recipe yet, clearly bringing up alot for swappers around the rabbit. This is a great spin staying true to the idea of a stew but swapping the protein. Love it!
Burwell General Store
Dennis, love it! It was hard to think about little fluffy bunnies, wasn’t it? Love the new site design, too- as always, I’m honored be a part of the swap with you.
Apron Appeal
As soon as the air crisps up a bit…i will be all over this!
Anne@frommysweetheart
What a beautiful chowder! I think swapping out the protein was a good move! Though I LOVE that vintage cookbook….very cool! This chowder looks so inviting! : )
Michelle O
I’ll take shrimp and crab meat over a fluffy bunny anyday. Good choice. 🙂 Looks delish.