Lobster bisque is a classic seafood dish made with lobster, stock, cream and a variety of seasonings. This creamy, rich soup has been enjoyed for centuries, with its origins likely dating back to the 1600s. Today, it can be found on menus around the world. There are many different types of lobster bisque that vary in taste and texture. From traditional French recipes to hearty American-style variations, there’s something for everyone in this delicious dish. Whether you like it smooth and creamy or chunky and hearty, lobster bisque is sure to satisfy any palate.Lobster Bisque is a creamy soup made with lobster stock and other ingredients such as onions, celery, and carrots. It may also include cream, brandy, tomato paste, and sherry. The soup is usually strained to create a smooth texture and can be served hot or cold. Lobster bisque is a luxurious dish that can be served as an appetizer or as part of a main course.
Ingredients
Lobster bisque is a creamy classic French soup that is traditionally made with a rich broth of lobster shells, cream, vegetables and a few aromatics. To make the bisque, you’ll need cooked lobster (either fresh or canned), butter, all-purpose flour, onion, celery, garlic, bay leaf, thyme, white wine, fish stock or clam juice, tomato paste, heavy cream and salt and pepper.
Instructions
Begin by heating butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and celery and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook for an additional minute. Add the flour to the pot and stir until combined. Cook for several more minutes until lightly browned. Pour in the wine and stir to combine before adding the fish stock or clam juice along with the bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a simmer before stirring in tomato paste. Simmer for 15 minutes then add the cooked lobster (if using canned lobster add it at this time). Simmer for an additional 5 minutes before stirring in the cream. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper then serve hot with crusty bread or croutons.
Tips
For an even richer flavor you can add a small amount of brandy to your bisque when adding the wine at the beginning of cooking. If using fresh lobster you can also use shells from your cooked lobsters to make a rich broth by simmering them for 30 minutes in 2 cups of water before straining out solids.
For a thicker bisque you can add some cornstarch that has been dissolved in cold water at the end of cooking while stirring continuously until desired thickness is achieved.
Ingredients
Lobster bisque is a creamy and flavorful soup that requires a few simple ingredients. To make a basic lobster bisque, you’ll need lobster tails, butter, onion, garlic, celery, tomato paste, white wine, brandy, dry sherry, bay leafs, thyme leaves and chicken stock. You’ll also need all-purpose flour to thicken the soup. Additionally you may use parsley or heavy cream for garnish.
Equipment
You will need basic kitchen equipment to make the lobster bisque. This includes a large saucepan or Dutch oven for cooking the soup base and a blender or food processor to purée the cooked ingredients. You’ll also need measuring cups and spoons for measuring out your ingredients as well as a strainer for straining the finished soup.
Preparing Lobster
Before beginning your lobster bisque recipe you’ll need to prepare the lobster tails. To do this you’ll need kitchen shears or scissors and a sharp knife. Use the scissors to cut off the shells of the lobster tails and then use your knife to separate the flesh from the shells. Once this is done you can cut up the flesh into small pieces that can be added into the soup later on in the recipe.
Making The Soup Base
Once you have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go it’s time to start making your lobster bisque! Begin by melting some butter in your large saucepan over medium heat then add in chopped onion and garlic until they are soft and fragrant. Add in celery and tomato paste then cook for another minute before adding in white wine, brandy, dry sherry, bay leaves and thyme leaves. Simmer over low heat until all of the alcohol has cooked off then add in chicken stock and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat to low-medium then slowly whisk in flour until desired thickness is reached.
Finishing The Soup
Once your soup base has thickened add in your prepared lobster pieces along with any additional herbs or spices if desired then simmer over low heat until everything is heated through. Once heated through remove from heat then carefully transfer contents into blender or food processor and purée until desired consistency is reached (if using heavy cream add it at this stage). Strain finished soup into bowl or serving dish using strainer then garnish with parsley or extra heavy cream if desired.
Health Benefits of Eating Lobster Bisque
Lobster bisque is a creamy seafood soup that is made from lobster stock and cream. It is a popular dish around the world and has numerous health benefits. It is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants, which can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Lobster bisque also contains Omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to improved heart health and better cognitive functioning. Additionally, the lobster meat itself is low in fat but high in protein, making it a great source of nutrition for those looking to maintain their weight or even lose weight.
Lobster bisque is also a great source of dietary fiber, which helps to keep your digestive system running smoothly. Dietary fiber also helps you feel fuller for longer periods of time, so you can avoid snacking on unhealthy snacks throughout the day. Furthermore, the healthy fats found in lobster can help reduce cholesterol levels and improve overall heart health.
Finally, lobster bisque has a rich flavor that many people enjoy. It pairs well with other ingredients such as vegetables or rice and can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. The soup itself has a creamy texture that makes it both comforting and satisfying. By adding some herbs or spices to your lobster bisque recipe, you can further enhance its flavor profile and make it even more delicious!
Different Types of Lobster Bisque Recipes
Lobster bisque is a classic French seafood soup that has become a popular dish in many parts of the world. It is made with fresh lobster, cream, and a variety of herbs and spices. There are many different variations of lobster bisque recipes, each one offering its own unique flavor and texture. The following are some of the most popular types of lobster bisque recipes to try:
Traditional Lobster Bisque – This classic recipe uses fresh lobster, butter, cream, and white wine. It is typically seasoned with nutmeg, mace, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. The soup is then thickened with a combination of roux (a mixture of flour and butter) or egg yolks.
New England Lobster Bisque – This variation is made with fresh lobster meat cooked in a court bouillon (a light stock usually made from vegetables). It is then strained and combined with cream and seasonings such as Worcestershire sauce or paprika. The soup can also be thickened with a roux or egg yolks.
Smoked Lobster Bisque – This version uses smoked lobster meat instead of fresh lobster. The smoked flavor adds an interesting twist to the classic recipe. Cream is added to the smoked lobster along with other seasonings such as nutmeg or mace for flavor. Roux or egg yolks are used to thicken the soup.
Curry Lobster Bisque – This variation features curry powder as one of the main ingredients for flavor. It is combined with coconut milk for a creamy texture and added sweetness. Other seasonings such as red pepper flakes can be added to give it extra heat if desired. A roux or egg yolks are used to thicken the soup before serving it hot over rice or noodles.
Tomato-Based Lobster Bisque – This version features tomatoes as one of its main ingredients for added flavor and color. Fresh tomatoes are cooked down into a puree before being combined with cream and other seasonings such as garlic or basil for extra flavor complexity. A roux or egg yolks are used to thicken the soup before serving it hot over rice or noodles.
Start With Quality Ingredients
For a delicious lobster bisque, it is important to start with quality ingredients. Seek out fresh lobster from a reliable source. If you can, buy live lobster and cook it yourself. Fresh lobster meat is essential for the most flavor in your bisque. Additionally, use a classic mirepoix with your vegetables; this combination of onion, carrot and celery will give the bisque its classic flavor profile. Good quality seafood stock is also key for a flavorful bisque; if you can find it, use fish fumet rather than regular fish stock for a richer flavor.
Bring Out the Flavor
To bring out the best in your ingredients, sauté them lightly in butter before adding them to the stock. This will help to unlock some of the flavors that are hiding inside. Even if you are using pre-cooked lobster meat, it still benefits from being sautéed in butter first. Once your mirepoix is lightly cooked and combined with stock, bring the pot to a simmer and let all of the flavors combine together.
Thicken Your Bisque
Lobster bisque should have a creamy texture that coats the back of your spoon without being too thick or gloopy. To achieve this texture, mix together equal parts flour and butter (known as beurre manié) until it forms a paste. Add small amounts of this paste at a time to your simmering bisque until it reaches your desired consistency.
Finish It Off
Finally, add some heavy cream at the end for an extra creamy texture and flavor; just be sure not to overdo it as too much cream will make your bisque overly rich and heavy. Give it one final stir and let everything come together before ladling into bowls or cups for serving. For an extra special presentation, top with freshly chopped parsley or chives and serve with crusty bread on the side. Enjoy!