Published on Emerils.com (https://www.emerils.com)

Recipe
Shrimp Bisque [1]

Shrimp Bisque

This rich bisque is a great way to start off your holiday meal. And remember - a good bisque is built upon a good stock.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes for the shrimp stock, 40 minutes for the bisque
  • Total Time: 1 hour for the stock, 1 hour 15 minutes for the bisque
  • Yield: About 12 servings
[2]

Ingredients

  • FOR THE SHRIMP STOCK: (makes about 3 quarts)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup chopped yellow onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 medium-size lemon, halved
  • 4 quarts water
  • Shrimp shells from 3 pounds medium-size shrimp (reserved)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 5 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 6 cloves garlic, peeled
  • FOR THE BISQUE:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onions
  • 1 cup chopped celery
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup brandy
  • 3 quarts shrimp stock
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup bleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 3 pounds medium-size shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped (shells reserved for stock)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions or scallions (green part only)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

  • MAKE THE STOCK: In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Squeeze the lemon halves over the pot and add the lemon shells. Add the water, shrimp shells, peppercorns, thyme, bay leaves, and garlic and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the stock. Set aside.

  • MAKE THE BISQUE: In a large, heavy Dutch oven or pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of the cayenne. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft, about 6 minutes. Add the herbs, tomato paste, and brandy and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the shrimp stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 1 hour. Season with the remaining salt (to taste - you may not need all of it) and 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon additional cayenne, also to taste.

  • Make the beurre maniĆ© by combining the softened butter and flour in a small bowl and kneading it with your fingers until you have a smooth paste. Add the mixture a tablespoon at a time to the pot, whisking after each addition. Cook for 5 minutes, then slowly pour in the cream, whisking constantly. Add the shrimp and stir to mix. Bring to a gentle boil and cook for 15 minutes.

  • Remove from the heat and stir in the green onions and parsley. Ladle into soup bowls to serve.

Shop

Emeril Footwear Line

Emeril Footwear Line

Chef Emeril Launches Kicked Up Footwear Line

Buy Now!
[3]

Watch Emeril

Emeril on Youtube

Emeril on Youtube

Join Chef Emeril Lagasse as he teaches you how to make his signature dishes

Watch Now
[4]

Recipe Details

  • Source: Every Day's A Party Cookbook [5]
  • Dish Type: Soups [6]
  • Cuisine: Cajun/Creole [7]
  • Cooking Method: Simmering [8]
  • Occasion: Any [9]
  • Effort Level: Moderate [10]

Tags

Holiday Starters [11]

Reviews

Source URL: https://www.emerils.com/123047/shrimp-bisque