Zesty Mexican Shrimp Bisque
Experience a delightful fusion of flavors with this Zesty Mexican Shrimp Bisque, a rich and creamy soup that combines succulent shrimp with an array of spices. This easy-to-follow recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, taking less than 30 minutes from prep to plate. The addition of sour cream adds a velvety texture, while fresh cilantro and creamy avocado garnish elevate it to a restaurant-quality dish. Whether you’re serving it as an appetizer or a light main course, this bisque is sure to impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon (for thickening)
water
1 cup (cold)
heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup (cold)
chili powder
1 tablespoon (spice)
chicken bouillon granules
2 teaspoons (granulated)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (spice)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (spice)
uncooked medium shrimp
1/2 pound (peeled and deveined)
sour cream
1/2 cup (for mixing)
fresh cilantro
to taste (for garnish (optional))
cubed avocado
to taste (for garnish (optional))
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
2
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture, stirring well to combine and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
3
Slowly pour in the water and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add the chili powder, chicken bouillon, ground cumin, and ground coriander, mixing until well incorporated.
4
Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and allow to simmer for 5 minutes.
5
While the soup is simmering, chop the uncooked shrimp into bite-sized pieces. After 5 minutes, add the shrimp to the soup and continue to simmer uncovered for another 5 minutes or until the shrimp are pink and just cooked through.
6
In a separate bowl, gradually mix half a cup of the hot soup into the sour cream to temper it, then return the entire mixture back to the saucepan, stirring constantly until fully combined.
7
Heat the bisque through on low heat, being careful not to let it boil to maintain the creamy texture.
8
To serve, ladle the shrimp bisque into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro and cubed avocado if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Mexican Shrimp Bisque?
It is a rich and creamy soup that fuses succulent shrimp with Mexican spices, finished with sour cream and fresh garnishes.
How long does it take to make this recipe?
This recipe is designed for a quick weeknight dinner, taking less than 30 minutes from preparation to serving.
What type of shrimp should I use?
You should use 1/2 pound of uncooked medium shrimp that have been peeled and deveined.
How should the shrimp be prepared before adding to the soup?
The uncooked shrimp should be chopped into bite-sized pieces before being added to the simmering liquid.
What is the first step in making the bisque?
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and sauté chopped onion and minced garlic for 3-4 minutes.
How do I thicken the shrimp bisque?
The bisque is thickened by stirring one tablespoon of all-purpose flour into the sautéed onion and garlic mixture.
How long should I cook the flour?
Cook the flour with the onion and garlic for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste before adding liquids.
What liquids are used in the base of the soup?
The base uses a combination of one cup of water and 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream.
How do I prevent lumps when adding liquids?
Slowly pour in the water and heavy cream while whisking constantly to ensure a smooth, lump-free texture.
Which spices give this bisque its Mexican flavor?
The flavor comes from a blend of chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and chicken bouillon granules.
How long does the soup simmer before adding the shrimp?
Once the mixture reaches a gentle boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
How long do the shrimp take to cook in the soup?
Add the chopped shrimp and simmer uncovered for approximately 5 minutes until they turn pink and are cooked through.
What is the purpose of tempering the sour cream?
Tempering prevents the sour cream from curdling or breaking when it is introduced to the hot soup.
How do I temper the sour cream for this recipe?
Gradually mix half a cup of the hot soup into the sour cream in a separate bowl before adding the mixture back to the saucepan.
Can the bisque be boiled after adding the sour cream?
No, you should heat the bisque through on low heat and avoid boiling to maintain its creamy texture.
What are the recommended garnishes?
Fresh cilantro and cubed avocado are the recommended garnishes to elevate the dish to restaurant quality.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including the optional garnishes.
Is the cilantro required?
No, the fresh cilantro is optional and can be added to taste as a garnish.
What size onion should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of chopped onion.
Can I use chicken bouillon instead of salt?
The recipe specifically uses 2 teaspoons of chicken bouillon granules for seasoning and saltiness.
What is the texture of this bisque?
The texture is described as rich, creamy, and velvety thanks to the heavy cream and sour cream.
What heat setting is used for sautéing?
The onion and garlic should be sautéed over medium heat.
Should the saucepan be covered while cooking the shrimp?
No, the shrimp should be simmered uncovered for the final 5 minutes of cooking.
Is this recipe suitable for an appetizer?
Yes, it can be served as either a light main course or an impressive appetizer.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves for the best fragrance and flavor.
What kind of oil is best for this recipe?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for the initial sautéing of vegetables.
Is the avocado cubed or mashed?
The avocado should be cubed and used as a garnish on top of the served soup.
How much chili powder is used?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of chili powder to provide its zesty flavor.
Is this a spicy dish?
The bisque is described as zesty and flavorful, containing chili powder, cumin, and coriander, but it is tempered by the cream.
Can I use a different type of cream?
The recipe specifies heavy whipping cream and sour cream to achieve the signature velvety bisque consistency.