Shrimp/ Crab Fondue. Wowza!!

The Creamy flavors of cheese fondue infused with seafood? There aren't words. Well there might be but my brain is currently on overload from stuffing myself.

Lobster Fondue is one of my favorite things to order at Red Lobster. It's just too much yummy goodness to put into words, and since one of my 2010 goals was to be more adventurous in the kitchen, I decided to take a stab at making the molten heaven myself.

I didn't use Lobster meat as I found shrimp and crab on sale, but it was still worth the effort. I have to admit that it was a little more "Velveeta" tasting than I would have preferred (have to work on finding something else to add quantity and thickness so I don't need as much) and I am NOT a huge velveeta fan,...but it was GOOD. So good in fact that two of us went through an entire loaf of French Bread with it. Yes, we ended up stuffed and barely able to move from the make-shift picnic on the living room floor, but it was well worth it!

So, I decided to share the recipe and photos. If you make it let me know what you think. And of course if you come up with another cheese to aid in the delicious-ness let me know. (I'm thinking swiss cheese finely grated would add a nice flavor- or a small amount of cream cheese, or even some cream of shrimp soup as well. Hmm have to try those next time)

Ingredients-

16 oz Velveeta cheese

3/4 C Milk

1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1/2 tsp Paprika

1/2 to 3/4 C finely chopped sweet red pepper (bell pepper)

1 C. Shrimp chopped (or baby shrimp)

1/2 to 1 C. Crab meat chopped OR Lobster Meat

2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

1 Small bread bowl

1 Loaf French Bread

(optional- for brushing bread) Olive oil- Garlic powder and salt

Directions-

Cube your cheese so that it's easier to melt. Chop your seafood into the size of bites you would prefer in your fondue. With the Red Pepper the smaller the dice the less likely you are to get a bite with JUST red pepper in it. Of course if that's your thing, Go for it! ;-)

Cut a center hole in the bread bowl- careful to leave enough on the bottom to hold the fondue. You can chop what you remove and use this to dip in the cheese. Slice the French Bread into bite size chunks. Place all onto a cookie sheet. Brush with a mixture of Olive oil, garlic powder and salt.

Place in oven and cook til slightly golden brown.

Combine Milk and Cheese in a saucepan and cook over medium low heat until cheese starts melting. Add Cayenne, Paprika, Shrimp, Lobster (if using it) and Red Peppers. If using Crab add later or it will break into small pieces.

Once Cheese is completely melted and creamy add Crab. Turn setting to low. You may let it meld together for five minutes or so or serve immediately.

Pour Fondue into bread bowl. Garnish with Parsley. You can put Bread bowl on a platter and surround it with the extra bread chunks. Enjoy!!