Seafood bisque is a rich, creamy soup that typically features shellfish such as shrimp, lobster, or crab. Here’s a classic recipe you can follow:

Seafood Bisque Recipe

Ingredients

For the soup:

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
  • 4 cups seafood or chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the seafood:

  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 lb lump crab meat or lobster meat (or both)
  • 1 tbsp butter (for sautéing the seafood)

Instructions

  1. Sauté the vegetables:
    • In a large pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat.
    • Add onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. Sauté until soft (about 5-7 minutes).
  2. Create a roux and build flavor:
    • Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
    • Add the tomato paste and stir for another minute.
    • If using, pour in the white wine and let it simmer until reduced by half.
  3. Add the broth and seasonings:
    • Pour in the seafood or chicken broth and add the bay leaf, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
    • Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
  4. Blend the soup:
    • Remove the bay leaf. Use an immersion blender (or transfer in batches to a blender) to blend the soup until smooth.
  5. Cook the seafood:
    • In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp butter. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. If using lobster or crab, warm it gently.
  6. Finish the bisque:
    • Stir the heavy cream into the blended soup. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
    • Add the cooked shrimp, crab, or lobster to the pot and heat through for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Serve:
    • Ladle the bisque into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs (like parsley or chives) if desired. Serve with crusty bread.

Tips

  • Seafood swaps: Scallops or clams can also be added.
  • Thicker bisque: Use more flour or reduce the soup for a thicker texture.
  • Extra flavor: Save the shrimp shells and use them to make homemade seafood stock.

Enjoy your creamy, flavorful seafood bisque! 🦐🦀

Image from The Modern Proper