Delightful Shrimp Bisque
Experience the rich and creamy flavors of this Delightful Shrimp Bisque that pays homage to the beloved Barefoot Contessa's style. This exquisite soup combines the delicate sweetness of fresh shrimp with aromatic leeks and a touch of elegance from cognac and dry sherry. Perfect for a cozy dinner or entertaining guests, this bisque is sure to impress with its luscious texture and sophisticated taste. Serve it alongside a crisp salad or crusty bread for a complete meal that will warm your heart.
4
Servings
300
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large shrimp
1 lb (peeled and deveined, shells reserved)
Seafood stock
4 cups (Ready-made or homemade)
Olive oil
3 tablespoons (Extra virgin recommended)
Leeks
2 cups (Chopped, using white and light green parts from about 3 leeks)
Garlic
1 tablespoon (Chopped (approximately 3 cloves))
Cayenne pepper
1 pinch (To taste)
Cognac
1/4 cup (Or substitute with brandy)
Dry sherry
1/4 cup (Fino or Amontillado recommended)
Unsalted butter
4 tablespoons (For cooking)
All-purpose flour
1/4 cup (For thickening)
Half-and-half
2 cups (To add creaminess)
Tomato paste
1/3 cup (For depth of flavor)
Kosher salt
2 teaspoons (To taste)
Fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon (To taste)
Instructions
1
In a saucepan, combine the shrimp shells and seafood stock. Let it simmer over low heat for 15 minutes to extract the flavors.
2
Strain the mixture, reserving the stock, and add enough water to reach a total of 3 3/4 cups of liquid.
3
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped leeks and sauté for about 10 minutes, until tender but not browned.
4
Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for an additional minute until aromatic.
5
Add the pinch of cayenne pepper and the shrimp to the pot, cooking over medium-low heat for 3 minutes while stirring occasionally.
6
Pour in the cognac and allow it to cook for 1 minute, then add the dry sherry and cook for 3 minutes longer until the shrimp are just cooked through.
7
Transfer the shrimp and leek mixture to a food processor, blending until coarsely pureed.
8
In the same pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to create a roux.
9
Gradually stir in the half-and-half, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens, about 3 minutes.
10
Add the pureed shrimp mixture back to the pot along with the reserved seafood stock, tomato paste, kosher salt, and black pepper. Heat gently until hot, but do not allow it to boil.
11
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve the bisque hot in bowls, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
Nutrition Information
17.5g
Fat
15g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delightful Shrimp Bisque?
Delightful Shrimp Bisque is a rich and creamy soup that combines the sweetness of fresh shrimp with aromatic leeks, cognac, and dry sherry, inspired by the Barefoot Contessa style.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 4 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
How much protein is in the shrimp bisque?
There are 20g of protein per serving in this recipe.
Why do I need to keep the shrimp shells?
The shrimp shells are simmered with seafood stock for 15 minutes to extract maximum flavor for the soup base.
What can I substitute for cognac?
You can substitute cognac with brandy if preferred.
What type of dry sherry is recommended?
Fino or Amontillado dry sherry is recommended for this bisque.
How should the leeks be prepared?
Use the white and light green parts of about 3 leeks, which should yield approximately 2 cups of chopped leeks.
What is the purpose of tomato paste in this recipe?
Tomato paste is used to provide a rich depth of flavor and contribute to the soup's color.
How is the bisque thickened?
The bisque is thickened by creating a roux with 4 tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour.
Should I let the bisque boil after adding the cream?
No, you should heat it gently until hot but do not allow it to boil to preserve the texture.
How much seafood stock is required?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of seafood stock, adjusted with water after simmering to reach 3 3/4 cups.
How is the shrimp mixture textured?
The cooked shrimp and leek mixture is transferred to a food processor and blended until coarsely pureed.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 1 tablespoon of chopped garlic, which is roughly 3 cloves.
What size of shrimp should I use?
The recipe recommends 1 lb of large shrimp, peeled and deveined.
Is this recipe considered a quick meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick recipe suitable for elegant meals or cozy dinners.
What are the main tags for this dish?
Tags include shrimp, bisque, soup, seafood, creamy, comfort food, and Barefoot Contessa.
How long do I sauté the leeks?
The chopped leeks should be sautéed in olive oil for about 10 minutes until tender.
Does this bisque have any spice?
Yes, a pinch of cayenne pepper is added for a subtle touch of heat.
How much butter is used for the roux?
The recipe requires 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter.
What is the fat content of this bisque?
There is 17.5g of fat per serving.
Can I use milk instead of half-and-half?
The recipe calls for half-and-half to ensure a creamy texture; using milk may result in a thinner consistency.
What are the best serving suggestions?
It is best served hot in bowls, garnished with herbs, and accompanied by a crisp salad or crusty bread.
How much salt and pepper should I add?
The recipe suggests 2 teaspoons of kosher salt and 1 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to combine the shrimp shells and seafood stock in a saucepan and simmer for 15 minutes.
How long do the shrimp cook with the alcohol?
Cook the shrimp for 1 minute with cognac and then an additional 3 minutes with the dry sherry.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
No, this recipe contains all-purpose flour as a thickening agent.
What style of cooking does this bisque emulate?
It pays homage to Ina Garten's 'Barefoot Contessa' style of elegant yet comforting cooking.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of olive oil.
What are the main flavor profiles of this soup?
The bisque features sweet shrimp, aromatic leeks, and sophisticated notes of cognac and sherry.