Shrimp Bisque with Pernod

By lbgtdep

Makes 8 servings (about 8 cups

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lb medium shrimp, shelled and deveined, shells reserved
• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup Pernod
• 2 qt water
• 1 bay leaf (not California)
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons long-grain rice
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• Fresh lemon juice to taste
• Garnish: chopped fresh chives

Preparation

Step 1

Cook shrimp shells in 1 tablespoon butter in a 4-quart pot over moderately high heat, stirring frequently, until golden. Add Pernod and boil, stirring frequently, until most of liquid is evaporated. Add water and bay leaf and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes. Pour shrimp stock through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing on shells and then discarding them.

While stock is simmering, cook shrimp with salt to taste in 1 tablespoon butter in a 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to pot, then cook carrots, celery, and onion over moderate heat, stirring, until softened. Stir in rice, tomato paste, cayenne, salt, and shrimp stock and simmer, covered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside 12 shrimp and stir remainder into bisque.

Purée bisque in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids), then pour through fine sieve into another pot. Stir in cream and cook over low heat until heated through (do not boil). Stir in lemon juice and salt to taste.

Cut reserved shrimp into 1/4-inch dice, then use as part of garnish for bisque.

cooks' note:
Bisque can be made 2 days ahead. Cool, uncovered, before chilling, covered.

Made a rich lobster stock the prior weekend, I skipped the pernod, but deglazed the veg with congac. Added sffron threads, lowered the cayenne to 1/8t. Buzzed it with the stick blender. Served the soup with shaved shrimp, dizzled cream sherry on top. You will enjoy this one.

Excellent soup but a little too much carrot; I would cut back to one or two.

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I made this for my Easter dinner as an appetizer. Everybody loved it!! I might suggest to cut back a little bit on the cayenne pepper. Some found the heat took away from the smooth, delicate taste of the Pernod. I was surpised how easy it was to make! Make sure you get the shrimps with heads still on them. They really add to the flavor.