Pumpkin And Shrimp Bisque Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Shrimp stock: Peel and devein shrimp, reserving the shells. Cover the shrimp and refrigerate. Heat the olive oil in a medium (3-quart) heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add the shrimp shells to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn deep orange and are just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. This step-pan roasting the shells-gives the stock much of its flavor, so take the time to do it carefully. The roasted shells should release a concentrated, toasty, shrimp aroma that will fill your kitchen. Add the wine to the pan, first turning off gas flames to prevent the alcohol from igniting, then boil it over medium heat until all the liquid is evaporated. Add the chicken stock, saffron, celery, onion, bay leaves, and sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Partially cover the pan and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve, pushing down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Rinse out the saucepan and pour the stock back into it.
• 2. Soup: Whisk the pumpkin, cream, salt (omit if using canned stock), and cayenne into the shrimp stock. Bring the soup to a simmer, then cook very gently uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and season with black pepper and more salt if needed. (The soup can be made up to this point up to 1 day ahead store covered in the refrigerator. Keep the peeled shrimp in a resealable bag buried in a bowl of ice in the refrigerator.)
• 3. Finishing the soup: Pour the olive oil into a large sauté pan placed over medium heat. When hot, add the reserved shrimp and sage and cook, tossing often, until the shrimp is just cooked through, pink, and no longer translucent, but not curled into a circle, 2 to 3 minutes. They should still have a tender snap when you bite into them. Arrange the shrimp in warmed serving bowls or a tureen. Bring the soup back to a simmer and then ladle it over the shrimp. Serve right away.
• Variation
• Substitute winter squash purée, such as butternut or acorn, for the pumpkin.

Steps:

• Melt a 1/4 cup of the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and tomato and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 12 minutes. Raise the heat to high. Add the shrimp shells and rice, and cook, stirring, until deep red in color, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, until caramelized, about 2 minutes more. Remove the pot from the heat, pour in the 1/2 cup of the Cognac, return to a high heat and cook until almost dry, about 1 1/2 minutes.
• Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen sting and add to the pot. Pour in the water and 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Remove and discard the herb bundle. Working in batches, transfer the mixture to a blender and puree until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine sieve into a pot and discard the solids.
• Heat the bisque over medium heat. Whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup butter, remaining 2 tablespoons Cognac, heavy cream, lemon juice, and cayenne into the soup and season with salt and pepper to taste. Divide among soup bowls, garnish with croutons, and serve immediately.
• Difficulty: Easy

Steps:

• 1. Shrimp stock:
• Peel and devein shrimp, reserving the shells. Cover the shrimp and refrigerate. Heat the olive oil in a medium (3-quart) heavy-bottomed saucepan over high heat until it begins to smoke. Add the shrimp shells to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, until they turn deep orange and are just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. This step-pan roasting the shells-gives the stock much of its flavor, so take the time to do it carefully. The roasted shells should release a concentrated, toasty, shrimp aroma that will fill your kitchen. Add the wine to the pan, first turning off gas flames to prevent the alcohol from igniting, then boil it over medium heat until all the liquid is evaporated. Add the chicken stock, saffron, celery, onion, bay leaves, and sage. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Partially cover the pan and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Strain the stock through a fine sieve, pushing down on the solids with the back of a spoon to extract all the liquid. Rinse out the saucepan and pour the stock back into it.
• 2. Soup:
• Whisk the pumpkin, cream, salt (omit if using canned stock), and cayenne into the shrimp stock. Bring the soup to a simmer, then cook very gently uncovered over low heat for 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and season with black pepper and more salt if needed. (The soup can be made up to this point up to 1 day ahead store covered in the refrigerator. Keep the peeled shrimp in a resealable bag buried in a bowl of ice in the refrigerator.)
• 3. Finishing the soup:
• Pour the olive oil into a large sauté pan placed over medium heat. When hot, add the reserved shrimp and sage and cook, tossing often, until the shrimp is just cooked through, pink, and no longer translucent, but not curled into a circle, 2 to 3 minutes. They should still have a tender snap when you bite into them. Arrange the shrimp in warmed serving bowls or a tureen. Bring the soup back to a simmer and then ladle it over the shrimp. Serve right away.
• Note:.
• To make fresh pumpkin purée, cut a sugar pumpkin in half and scrape out the seeds. Place it cut side down in a baking dish and pour in about 1/4 inch of hot water. Bake it in a 400°F oven until the flesh is tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Turn the pumpkin halves cut side up to cool. Scoop the pumpkin flesh from the skin and purée it in a food processor until smooth. Transfer the purée to a large sieve lined with a double layer of cheesecloth and let it drain for 2-3 hours until it is firm enough to hold its shape on a spoon.
• Variation:.
• Substitute winter squash purée, such as butternut or acorn, for the pumpkin.

Steps:

• Melt butter in a heavy large saucepan, over medium-low heat.
• Add onion and cook until transparent, stir occasionally for about 10 minutes.
• Add flour and stir 3 minutes.
• Add stock and bring to a boil, stir constantly.
• Add squash and bay leaves, simmer until squash is very tender, about 15 minutes.
• Blend in can of soup and whipping cream.
• Season to taste and remove bay leaves.
• Puree soup in blender.
• Before serving add shrimp and heat on low.
• Butternut squash can be substituted for pumpkin. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

Steps:

• In saucepan, heat olive oil. Add red pepper and onion; saute on low heat until soft, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add shrimp, half-and-half, tomato sauce, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add butter.
• Put 1/2 hot mixture in a blender and carefully process at high speed about 10 to 15 seconds, or until no large pieces remain. Transfer bisque into soup bowls.
• Repeat with remaining mixture. Sprinkle on Parmesan cheese.
• Optional garnishes: herbs and additional shrimp.