Table of Contents

Shrimp Bisque

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut 9 shrimp in half lengthwise, and reserve for garnish.
  3. Arrange shrimp shells in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until completely dry and slightly browned, about 20 minutes.
  4. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large pot over medium heat.
  5. Add remaining whole shrimp, and cook until pink and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low.
  7. Add shallots, fennel, and carrot to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but not browned, about 15 minutes.
  8. Add shells, and cook for 2 minutes.
  9. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes.
  10. Add Cognac, and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated.
  11. Add the water, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and parsley.
  12. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes.
  13. Uncover, and let cool to room temperature. Discard bay leaf.
  14. Working in batches, puree soup and cooked shrimp in a blender until smooth. Strain each batch through a fine sieve into a large bowl, pressing liquid through with a rubber spatula. Return solids to blender to be pureed with next batch. Discard remaining solids after all soup has been pureed.
  15. Transfer soup to a clean large pot, and place over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warmed through. (Do not boil or soup will curdle.)
  16. Stir in evaporated milk.
  17. Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes.
  18. Add 2 teaspoons oil.
  19. Add reserved raw shrimp, and cook until pink and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes.
  20. Season with pepper.
  21. Divide soup among 6 bowls, and garnish each with 3 shrimp halves and a sprig of chervil. Serve immediately.