This recipe guides you in creating a rich and creamy seafood bisque, featuring a medley of fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and tender shrimp. It's a comforting and elegant soup, perfect as an appetizer or a light main course, ready in approximately 40 minutes.
For a truly rich bisque, consider making a quick seafood stock from shrimp shells before starting. Sauté the aromatics (celery, carrots, onions, garlic) until very tender but not browned, building a sweet foundation. When blending, an immersion blender is ideal for convenience and safety with hot liquids, ensuring a silky smooth texture. For a refined bisque, pass the blended soup through a fine-mesh sieve. Introduce the seafood briefly at the end to avoid overcooking and rubbery texture. Adjust seasoning with salt, fresh pepper, and a touch more lemon juice or Tabasco for brightness. Add heavy cream off the heat or at a very gentle simmer to prevent curdling. Garnish with fresh herbs.