Signature Dish of Valentine

Valentine’s Famous Crab Bisque

1 pound lump or fin crab meat, picked and cleaned
4 Quarts water and 6 tablespoons lobster stock (or make your own)
1& ½ stalks celery, chopped
1 small white onion diced finely
2 cloves garlic minced
½ teaspoon coarse ground pepper
2 bay leaves
½ cup dry vermouth
1 Quart heavy cream (plus more as needed)
1 stick unsalted butter
1/8 tsp celery salt
¼ tsp thyme
1/8 tsp basil
1/8 tsp marjoram
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons tomato paste
2 potatoes peeled and diced (optional)
2 cups sweet corn drained (optional)

1. Start with 4 quarts of water and the lobster stock, bring to a boil
2. Add celery, onion, bay leaf, thyme, basil, celery salt and garlic and continue to boil down for approx ½ hour
3. Add potatoes and corn if you are using those
4. Stir in heavy cream and butter cut into small cubes
5. Add vermouth and tomato paste and stir until soft boil
6. Add half the crab and simmer on very low for 1 hour or until it reduces by half and is starts to thicken
7. Add remaining crab, a splash of vermouth and simmer until bisque is very thick
8. Season to taste