Shrimp bisque

So I feel like I am doing a lot of cooking posts. I never know what I will post about. It usually stars with a photo and then goes from there. Yesterday though was a dark and chilly day and I felt like cooking. So here is what I made for dinner

   

I know I have been doing a lot of soups lately. I guess it is the change of seasons and the fact that I can not stay warm. This recipe is the same recipe I use for cream of crab soup. I do not always have crab, so sometimes I substitute shrimp instead. Either way it is a tasty recipe. There was a LOT of slurping going on last night at the dinner table.

The ingredients.....

4 TBS of butter, one small onion, 1/4 cup of diced shallots, 2TBS of flour, 2 cups of chicken broth, 2 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1tsp of salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, 1 bay leaf, a dash of Tabasco Sauce, 1 lb of cooked and peeled shrimp (or crab good with either), 1/4 cup of sherry (do not leave this ingredient out, It is essential)

 

Melt butter in a pot over low heat and saute onion and shallots until tender. Whisk in flour and cook for about two minutes until blended. Do not brown the flour. Remove from heat and add chicken broth and cream.

   

Return to medium heat and simmer for about 10 minuets until mixture thickens.

 

Add Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, bay leaf,Tabasco, and sherry.

 

Then add the shrimp, (or crab) at this point. Or add both that would be really good. Simmer for about 20 minuets and serve.

I make this recipe for Christmas Eve almost every year. It is quick easy and everyone loves it. It is also a nice warm up to all of the eating to come. I serve it with a nice fresh green salad and hot homemade rolls. It is really nice not to have such a heavy meal the day before Christmas.

As we were sitting at the table last night slurping away I said to my husband that the soup would be good with a little bit of chopped potatoes in it too. He agreed but still said the soup was good the way it is. So I am a cook who likes to shake it up a bit sometimes. I will add the potatoes next time for sure!

Enjoy!

Comments

[Sara Cook]

I can't wait to try it!!!

[Alice C]

That looks so good - a real Maryland treat. Do you have crackers to eat with soup? I read about them and I have always wondered what they look like.

[Firefly Hill]

What a great idea for Christmas Eve! I agree about not having a heavy meal the night before!

Annie