Joe's Maryland Shrimp Bisque

Dee Licious's Note:

My husband's amazing creation... Shrimp, cream, sherry - how can you go wrong with that combo? Warning this is HIGHLY addictive, especially when paired with homemade Cuban bread.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 19

Yield: 19.0 10 oz s ...

• 4 lbs shrimp (with heads on)
• 4 quarts half-and-half
• 1/4 lb butter
• 3 large shallots
• 5 garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 cup sherry wine

Directions:

1. Pull heads off shrimp.
2. In 4 quart saucepan put 2 cans chicken broth.
3. Put shrimp heads in saucepan with broth.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minute.
6. Remove shrimp heads and discard.
7. Reduce liquid (to aprox 12 oz).
8. In frying pan saute thinly sliced shallots and crushed garlic with 1 tbsp butter then turn off heat.
9. Pour reduced chicken stock (from #7) in 8 quart stock pot then add shallots & garlic and stir, then slowly add sherry and stir, then add half and half while stirring and remaining butter.
10. Add all spices and turn burner on low.
11. Clean and de-vein shrimp then cut shrimp in half.
12. Add shrimp to soup.
13. Turn heat up a little (no more than 170 degrees - will curdle if heat is too high. If it does curdle strain out shrimp and put soup in blender and blend on high until re-mixed and smooth then pour back in pot and add shrimp again) and cook for 1 hour stirring occasionally.
14. Serve and enjoy!