Curried Snow Crab, Corn & Avocado Chowder: A Velvety Spring Seafood Delight
Experience a truly exceptional seasonal chowder – a smooth, elegant blend of vibrant flavors, generously crowned with the sweet, succulent meat of freshly picked snow crab. This quick yet gourmet recipe promises to be a highlight of your spring culinary adventures.
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The arrival of crab season each spring feels like a cherished annual gift, a vibrant herald of warmer days and the promise of fresh, exquisite seafood. As the first tender asparagus spears emerge in markets, I instinctively know that the sweet, delicate flavor of crab is just around the corner, bringing with it an undeniable sense of culinary excitement and happiness.
To be entirely transparent, my journey to becoming a true crab enthusiast was a gradual one. For many years, I was hesitant about eating bone-in or shell-on meats and shellfish, a preference that initially kept me from embracing those wonderfully spiky crab legs. It wasn’t until a few years ago, when my partner, E (a devoted fan), began requesting crab-leg dinners as a cherished spring tradition, that my perspective began to shift. We’ve simplified these dinners by opting for pre-cooked legs, carefully pulled from their bodies, eliminating any mess. Plus, the delightful ritual of cracking open the shells to reveal the sweet, tender meat is, in itself, a significant part of the enjoyment. These impromptu crab feasts are remarkably easy to prepare: simply pick up some fresh crab legs from your local fish market, serve them alongside a crisp green salad, and your elegant meal is complete. While I prefer a light sprinkle of lemon juice over my crab meat to enhance its bright notes, E insists on eating it plain. And he’s right—the naturally sweet, slightly salty taste of fresh snow crab truly shines on its own, a testament to its pristine quality.
Given our shared love for this seasonal delicacy, I’m always eager to incorporate snow crab meat into simple yet impactful recipes, allowing us to savor its flavor as much as possible while the season lasts. When working with snow crab in culinary applications, the general rule is “the simpler, the better,” as its inherent deliciousness requires little embellishment. Classic crab cakes are, of course, an evergreen favorite, and we also enjoy its addition to creamy risottos and hearty soups. This particular recipe offers an exciting and flavorful twist on the traditional chowder: a sumptuously velvety broth crafted from snow crab’s perfect companions—sweet corn and creamy avocado. The soup is then brightened and deepened with the aromatic complexities of coconut milk, red curry paste, and fresh coriander. These fragrant ingredients require minimal cooking time to meld into a rich, harmonious flavor profile, allowing this exquisite chowder to come together in less than 15 minutes of active preparation. To serve, simply ladle the warm chowder into elegant shallow bowls, generously top with a mound of freshly picked crab meat, and you’ll have created not just a soup, but arguably the freshest and most elegant culinary centerpiece of the season.
Pin Recipe
Curried Snow Crab, Corn, and Avocado Chowder
Ingredients
- For the Chowder:
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) canola oil, or other neutral vegetable oil
- 1 leek (white and pale green parts only, thoroughly washed and thinly sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) red curry paste
- 2 cups (500 ml) fresh or frozen corn kernels
- 1 (14-oz / 398 ml) can full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup (250 ml) fish or vegetable stock
- ½ cup fresh coriander (stems finely chopped, leaves picked and reserved separately)
- ½ avocado (peeled, pitted, and roughly chopped – the other half will be used for garnish)
- ½ lime (juice only, approximately 1 tbsp / 15 ml)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- To Serve:
- Meat picked from two sets of cooked snow crab legs (roughly ¼ cup / 60 ml of picked meat per serving)
- ½ avocado (the remaining half, peeled, pitted, and finely diced)
- Green onion (very thinly sliced, for garnish)
- Fresh coriander leaves (reserved from above, for garnish)
Instructions
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For the Chowder: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the canola oil over medium heat. Add the sliced leek and chopped garlic, and sauté, stirring continuously, for about 2 minutes until softened and aromatic. Stir in the red curry paste and continue to cook for another 30 seconds, allowing the fragrant spices to bloom. Then, add the corn kernels, rich coconut milk, your choice of fish or vegetable stock, and the chopped coriander stems. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
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Carefully transfer the soup mixture to a blender. Add the first half of the roughly chopped avocado. Blend until the soup achieves a perfectly smooth and creamy consistency (for safety, always hold the blender cover down firmly with a kitchen towel to prevent any hot liquid spills). Return the silken smooth soup to the saucepan. Stir in the fresh lime juice, and season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to your taste preference. Keep the chowder warm over very low heat until you’re ready to serve. If you’ve prepared the soup in advance, reheat it gently, being careful not to bring the blended soup back to a full, rolling boil, as this is unnecessary and can potentially alter its luxurious texture. The chowder is best enjoyed warm rather than piping hot.
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To Serve: Evenly divide the warm, velvety chowder among four elegant shallow bowls. Garnish each serving with a generous topping of the sweet, picked snow crab meat, the diced fresh avocado, thinly sliced green onion, and the reserved fresh coriander leaves. Serve this exquisite chowder immediately to fully appreciate its fresh, vibrant flavors and comforting warmth.
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Recipe Credit: This delightful chowder recipe was developed by Marie Asselin, drawing inspiration from a wonderful recipe found on Kitchen Confidante.
Did you make this delicious Curried Snow Crab, Corn, and Avocado Chowder?
I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts and see your culinary creations! Please feel free to leave a comment below to share your experience, or better yet, snap a beautiful picture of your chowder and tag it with @foodnouveau on Instagram. Your feedback and photos inspire me and our community!
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