Description
This Stuffed Seafood Bread Bowl features a creamy blend of shrimp and lump crab meat combined with cheeses and seasonings, served warm in a hollowed sourdough loaf. It’s perfect as a flavorful appetizer or impressive party centerpiece, offering a rich, indulgent seafood dip with a crunchy bread exterior.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood Stuffing
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 pound lump crab meat
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Optional hot sauce, to taste
Bread Bowl
- 1 large round sourdough bread loaf
Instructions
- Prepare the bread bowl: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Using a sharp knife, cut the top off the sourdough loaf and carefully hollow out the inside, leaving approximately 1-inch thick walls to maintain the bread bowl’s structure. Reserve the removed bread pieces for dipping later.
- Sauté aromatics and cook shrimp: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the chopped shrimp and cook until they turn just pink, around 3 to 4 minutes.
- Create the creamy seafood mixture: Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, Old Bay seasoning, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir continuously until all cheeses melt and the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Incorporate crab meat: Gently fold in the lump crab meat, being careful not to break it up too much. Heat the mixture for another 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through and evenly heated.
- Assemble and bake: Spoon the creamy seafood mixture into the prepared bread bowl. Place the stuffed bread bowl on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the top is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top, and serve immediately with the reserved bread pieces or your favorite crackers for dipping.
Notes
- For added variety and richness, substitute or add scallops or lobster to the seafood mixture.
- To introduce some heat, mix in a dash of cayenne pepper or your preferred hot sauce.
- This dish works perfectly as an appetizer or a party centerpiece, impressing guests with its creamy texture and fresh seafood flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
