Quick Shrimp Bisque

Kimke's Note:

This is modified from a Bon Appetit recipe from some years back. It is a wonderful first course, especially for those that like shrimp. The cayenne adds a nice "kick" to it as well!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 tablespoons butter
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• 2 -3 cloves garlic , chopped
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3 tablespoons white rice (not instant)
• 12 ounces cooked shrimp
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if you like it spicier)
• ½ teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 ½ cups half-and-half or 1 ½ cups heavy cream

Directions:

1. Melt butter in pan.
2. Add onion and garlic and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add broth and rice and bring to boil.
4. Reduce heat to low.
5. Cover and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes.
6. Mix in most of shrimp (reserve 6 for garnish).
7. Cover and simmer until shrimp is heated through (1-2 minutes).
8. Puree soup with shrimp in blender or in pan with hand blender (much easier) Return soup to pan.
9. Whisk in tomato paste, cayenne pepper and tarragon.
10. Gradually whisk in half/half.
11. Bring soup to simmer.
12. Garnish with reserved shrimp.

Reviews

[Sackville]

This was just what I needed to soothe my poor sick self. I stuck fairly close to the original recipe, just adding a couple carrots and two sticks of celery (I made a double batch) to pump up the veggie content. It was wonderfully comforting, had a lovely seafood flavour to it and went down a treat. I'm sure the pot won't last long!

[Merlot]

Ahhhh this tasted so good. I followed your instructions exactly, and the end result was a beautiful, comforting bisque. A real treat that I will be making over and over again. Thanks for sharing another great recipe. :-)

[JPerez]

This hit the spot! The cayenne pepper really adds a nice kick. I used half the shrimp called for and added a can of crab meat. I also took the hint of another reviewer and used instant potato flakes in place of the rice. I subbed milk for the half and half to lighten it up a bit.