SHRIMP BISQUE

My husband and I really like this (and he is fussy).  I have already made it several times.   I bought some frozen Lobster pieces at Costco this week and I am going to try it with Lobster next. 

I used frozen raw shrimp from Costco.  The recipe I based this on used unpeeled raw shrimp for making shrimp stock using the shrimp peel. The Costco shrimp only have a tail but it was fine.

SHRIMP STOCK

Remove the tails (and peels if you have them) from one pound of shrimp.  Put the tails in a saucepan with:

2 ½ C. water

1 T. dry onion flakes

10 grinds of fresh pepper

1 tsp. salt

1 T. olive oil

2 T. fresh or 1 T. dry parsley

2 dry bay leaves

Simmer for 20 minutes.

While the stock is cooking in a Dutch oven size pot add:

2 T. butter

3 T. grated fresh onion

3 cloves grated garlic

Stir fry until it starts to brown 

Add:

2 Stalks grated celery (throw away the strings that won’t grate)

4 T. flour

1 small can of tomato sauce

2 ½ C. milk

½ Cup cream

1/3 C. cooking Sherry (can purchase in the grocery store in Utah)

4 large fresh basil leaves minced or 1 tsp. dry basil leaves

Hot sauce or cayenne to taste

Stir all these ingredients together and bring to a boil.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Blend with an immersion blender. Strain the shrimp stock (remove the bay leaves and add to your soup for the remaining cooking) and add to the pot. Correct the salt to taste.  Add 10-15 more grates of pepper.  Add ½ c. Orzo or Israeli Couscous (optional) and simmer for 5 more minutes.  Cut each shrimp into 3-4 pieces and add to the pot.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 more minutes.  Serve with chopped green onions if desired.   Makes 4-6 servings.