Best 4 Veracruzana Crab Soup Recipes
In the vibrant coastal region of Veracruz, Mexico, a culinary treasure awaits: the enticing Veracruz-style crab soup. This tantalizing dish, celebrated for its captivating flavors, is a symphony of fresh seafood, aromatic spices, and zesty ingredients. Dive into the depths of this iconic soup, where succulent crab meat dances harmoniously with a rich tomato broth infused with a medley of herbs and spices. Enhanced by the vibrant acidity of lime and the subtle sweetness of carrots and potatoes, each spoonful promises a burst of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This recipe guide presents two variations of this beloved soup: the traditional Veracruz crab soup and a vegetarian version that captures the essence of the original while catering to diverse dietary preferences. Whether you're a seafood enthusiast or seeking a flavorful meatless option, these recipes will guide you in crafting an unforgettable Veracruz crab soup experience.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
VERACRUZANA CRAB SOUP RECIPE
Seafood soups and stews fall into two categories: rustic, easy, comforting dishes with big flavors and a balance of seafood and vegetables,; and richer, more refined and more labor-intensive affairs like seafood bisques, or French soupe de poissons, and its Southern French counterpart, bouillabaisse. The latter are special occasion dishes best left to restaurants with a budget for labor and specialty fish. It's the rustic, country-style soups and stews that are fun to make at home, both for dinner parties and family meals.These hearty soups don't require elaborate fish stocks - which can be a good thing, as it's not always easy to find the fish heads and bones that a good fish stock requires. The procedure for two of these recipes, the Provençal fish chowder and the Veracruzana crab soup, is identical. You begin by making a robust tomato sauce base, then add water or a light vegetable stock, the additional vegetables and aromatics called for in the recipe, bring the mixture to a boil, and simmer until the vegetables are tender. Shortly before serving, add the fish or crabmeat.For a bit more of the sea, there are anchovies in the tomato base that's at the foundation of the Provençal fish chowder. It's embellished with the broth from the steamed mussels that accompany each serving. As for semantics, I like to call this soup a chowder because, like a Manhattan clam chowder, it has a tomato base and an abundance of potatoes. But its hallmark Southern French flavors - lots of garlic, a good pinch of saffron, the perfume of orange zest and fennel - leave no doubt that the fragrant dish is decidedly Provençal.As for the type of fish to use in this soup, you have lots of flexibility. The fish should be white-fleshed (not salmon), but your budget and the quality of what's available can help you decide. I often use what fish stores call "chowder mix," a low-cost mix of pieces of different fish; but tell the fishmonger not to include any salmon or tuna in the mix, because their flavors are too strong. (I've even used the frozen Alaskan cod from Trader Joe's with very good results. Just make sure to remove it from the package and thaw in a bowl in the refrigerator overnight, then to drain off any water from the bowl.)The distinctive flavors of the Veracruzana soup come from the minced olives, capers and pickled jalapeños that are cooked along with onions, garlic and tomatoes in the soup base. It may seem curious to find olives, capers, and olive oil in a Mexican dish, but the cuisine of the of Veracruz has strong ties to the Mediterranean. Veracruz was for centuries the gateway to Mexico, and Spanish foodways are reflected in the widespread use of ingredients such as olive oil, olives, and capers. I prefer to make the soup with crab only, but, the price of crabmeat being what it is, you can also combine crabmeat with white-fleshed fish like cod or snapper.Both of these stews are perfect for big dinner parties. You can make them, up until the point of adding the fish or crabmeat, hours or even a day or two in advance, which is always something I look for in a recipe when I'm planning a dinner. The mussel stew with potatoes and sausage is better for smaller dinners, for four4 people, say, mainly because of the amount of space mussels require in a pan. The stew is inspired by a number of Portuguese and Catalonian seafood dishes that bring earth and sea together, usually in the form of sausage and seafood such as mussels or clams. The potatoes contribute substance and comfort, their flavor irresistible because of the way they absorb the flavorful broth.The base for this stew - the sausage, potatoes, and onions - can also be prepared a few hours ahead. It's hard to go wrong as long as you don't boil the fish, or steam the mussels for too long. Just keep the soup at a low simmer, until the fish is cooked through, check seasonings, steam mussels only until they open up, and you're good to go.All of these dishes make wonderful one-dish meals - maybe follow with a crisp green salad. And if you want to get more seafood into your diet but you're not a confident fish cook, this is a great place to begin. Martha Rose Shulman is a cookbook author and food writer based in Los Angeles.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories STOVETOP, MAINS, SOUPS, STEWS/BRAISES, FISH & SHELLFISH
Time 1h30m
Yield Serves 6 to 8
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven heated over medium heat, add the olive oil, then the onions and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring until tender, 6 to 8 mionutes. Stir in the garlic, jalapeños, olives and capers, and continue to cook just until the garlic is fragrant, another minute or so.
- Add the tomatoes, cilantro sprigs, mint, oregano, bay leaves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes are somewhat cooked down and the mixture smells fragrant, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the potatoes, winter squash and water, and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes and winter squash are tender, about 30 minutes. (The soup can be made ahead of time up to this point. Reheat before continuing.)
- Shortly before serving, bring the soup back to a simmer. If cooking fish along with the crabmeat, add the fish and simmer for 5 minutes before adding the crabmeat. Stir in the crabmeat and heat (careful that the soup does not boil) until the crab is warmed through and the fish flakes easily, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if desired.
- Stir in the chopped cilantro, and serve the soup with lime wedges on the side.
SNAPPER VERACRUZANA
Steps:
- In a saucepot, add the oil, and start to cook the onions, garlic, bay leaves, and jalapeno. Cook for 5 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Then deglaze with the white wine. Add the tomatoes and fish stock, and cook for 15 minutes. Add the capers and olives cook for 5 minutes more.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Season the fish with salt and pepper. Put the red snapper in a roasting dish that holds it comfortably. Spoon the tomato sauce over the fish, and roast until the fish is cooked but moist, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve the fish garnished with parsley and lime wedges.
VERACRUZANA CRAB SOUP
This is an elegant soup that I've served at dinner parties as well as family dinners. It has a spicy depth of flavor, resulting from the combination of pickled capers, pickled jalapeños (don't substitute fresh for canned here) and olives.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, soups and stews, appetizer, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield Serves six to eight
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, and add the onions. Cook, stirring, for five to 10 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and continue to cook for another minute or two, until the garlic begins to color. Add the tomatoes and about 1/2 teaspoon salt, and cook, stirring, for about 15 minutes, until the tomatoes are somewhat cooked down and the mixture smells fragrant. Add the potatoes, the winter squash, chiles, olives, capers, bouquet garni and the oregano, and stir together for five minutes. Add 2 quarts water and salt to taste, and bring to a simmer. Simmer 30 minutes, until the potatoes and winter squash are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more salt and/or garlic if you wish. Remove from the heat if not serving right away.
- Bring the soup back to a bare simmer, and stir in the crab. Heat through, stirring and being careful not to let the soup boil or the crabmeat, which is already cooked, will become too rubbery. Just before serving, stir in the chopped cilantro, and serve with lime wedges on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 202, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 25 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1023 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams, TransFat 0 grams
VERACRUZ-STYLE FISH SOUP
Make and share this Veracruz-Style Fish Soup recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Low Cholesterol
Time 7h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Place the tortillas in the bottom of the insert of a 5-7 quart slow cooker.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over med-high heat.
- Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, bell peppers, cumin, and oregano and saute until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes.
- Deglaze the pan with the beer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
- Transfer the contents of the skillet to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the tortillas.
- Stir in the tomatoes and clam juice.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours.
- Stir in the fish, rice, and cilantro; cook for 1 hour, until the fish is cooked through.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229.4, Fat 5.4, SaturatedFat 0.9, Cholesterol 23.3, Sodium 293.5, Carbohydrate 28.8, Fiber 3, Sugar 5.4, Protein 13.9
Tips:
- Use fresh seafood whenever possible. This will give your soup the best flavor.
- If you can't find fresh crab, you can use frozen crab meat. Just be sure to thaw it completely before using it.
- Don't overcook the seafood. Otherwise, it will become tough and chewy.
- Add the vegetables to the soup in stages. This will help them cook evenly.
- Season the soup to taste. You may want to add more salt, pepper, or chili powder, depending on your preferences.
- Serve the soup with a side of rice or tortillas.
Conclusion:
Veracruzana crab soup is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a new soup recipe, give Veracruzana crab soup a try.
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