Corn and Shrimp Bisque

So D and I were on vacation and I had crab bisque.  He said I should find a bisque recipe.  So I did.

I showed him this one.  He said that he would make it for Monday. I thought it was a little labor intensive but he said it was fine.  He said the hardest part of the recipe was not throwing the shrimp shells in the trash. And that a lot of bowls were involved. 

He added some more sherry to get it more bisque-y tasting.  It was really good.  Would have again. 

We had with Basic Beer Cheese Bread.

Corn and Shrimp Bisque

Photo by ALB

Nothing goes to waste in this recipe, since the shrimp shells and corn cobs make a delicate stock for the soup.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups)

Ingredients
2 pounds unpeeled large shrimp
4 ears corn
Cooking spray
2 cups coarsely chopped onion
5 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 fresh thyme sprig
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup dry sherry (used 1/3 C)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1 cup half-and-half

Preparation
Peel and devein shrimp, reserving shells. Coarsely chop shrimp. Cover shrimp and chill.

Remove kernels from ears of corn to measure 2 cups, and set aside. Reserve the corn cobs.

Heat a stockpot coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp shells and onion to pan; sauté 5 minutes or until shells turn pink. Add corn cobs, water, bay leaf, and thyme; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes. Drain the shrimp stock into a sieve over a bowl; discard solids.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add corn kernels; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add tomato paste; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Combine sherry and flour, stirring with a whisk to form a slurry. Add slurry to pan; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add shrimp stock, salt, and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook 4 minutes or until bisque starts to thicken, stirring frequently. Add shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are done. Stir in half-and-half; serve immediately.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 302; Calories from fat: 27%; Fat: 9.1g; Saturated fat: 4.4g; Monounsaturated fat: 2.4g; Polyunsaturated fat: 1.4g; Protein: 34.5g; Carbohydrate: 17.1g; Fiber: 1.8g; Cholesterol: 255mg; Iron: 4.3mg; Sodium: 764mg; Calcium: 136mg

Cooking Light AUGUST 2003