Mediterranean Crab Stew 🦀

This light & healthy crab stew has a nice blend 
of flavors and it's quick and simple to prepare.

Ingredients: 

1 pound fresh cooked crabmeat or imitation crab

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

4 shallots, finely chopped

1 stalk celery, diced

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup white wine

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 cup clam juice*

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

2 bay leaves

2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves or  teaspoon dried thyme leaves

sea salt and freshly gound black pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes

fresh chopped chives

chopped or crumbled bacon

hot sauce

Method:

Place the crabmeat in a large bowl. Use one or two forks to break up the meat. Sprinkle the parsley over the crab and stir to mix in. Sat aside.

Saute the shallots and celery in the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat for three minutes. Stir in the wine and simmer on low for a few minutes.

Thoroughly mix in the tomato paste.  Increase the heat to medium and add the clam juice, broth, bay leaves and thyme. Stir to mix. Bring to a slow boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves form the broth. Pour the broth over the crabmeat and stir.

Ladle into serving bowls and season with a tiny pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. If desired, garnish with fresh chives and/or chopped bacon. Provide hot sauce for those who prefer added heat to their stew. Makes 4 servings.

*Clam juice can be found in most grocery stores with the canned tuna and other fish. (A fish stock may be substituted for the clam juice and chicken broth.)

Notes: 

One of our dear daughter-in-laws and young granddaughters traveled from a nearby state to visit us during Spring Break. They both love seafood, so I decided to make this stew ~ They loved it and asked for the recipe. 😃