Red Pepper Shrimp Bisque

This is an incredible bisque and I just HAD to pass the recipe along!  Don't let the ingredients fool you, this bisque is amazing!!

If you're looking for a lower-fat version, try sauteing the vegetables in a spritz of olive oil.  And instead of making a roux with butter and flour, use a mixture of cornstarch and cold water.  The 4 T. of butter and 1/4 cup of flour equates to about 2 T. cornstarch and 2 T. cold water.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. shrimp
• 7 T butter
• 3/4 c. chopped onion
• 3/4 c. chopped celery
• 3 c. cold water
• 2 c. bottled clam juice
• 1 c. dry white wine
• 2 fresh parsley sprigs
• 1/4 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/4 tsp. black peppercorn (whole or ground)

• 1/4 c. flour
• 1/4 c. Madeira (you can substitute with dry Port, sherry, or Marsala wines)
• 3 T. tomato paste

• 3/4 c. half-and-half

• 1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

Instructions

1. Melt 1 T. butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat
2. Add onion and celery.  Cook and cover until tender, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes.
3. Add 3 cups cold water and next 5 ingredients (through peppercorn) and bring to boil.  
4. Reduce heat to low and simmer until liquid is reduced to 5 cups, about 30 minutes.
5. Melt 4 T. butter in heavy large pot over medium heat.
6. Add flour and whisk until mixture bubbles, but does not brown.  About 3 minutes.  
7. Whisk in Madiera and tomato paste.  
8. Add soup stock, and simmer until mixture thickens slightly.  About 8 minutes.  
• This part can be prepared 1 day ahead.  Cool slightly, cover, and refrigerate.  Bring soup to a boil before continuing.
9. Mix in half-and-half, and cook until soup is heated through (do not boil.)
10. Melt remaining 2 T. butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.  
11. Add zucchini and red bell pepper and saute until vegetables are crip-tender, about 3 minutes.
12. Add shrimp and saute until shrimp is cooked through and vegetables are tender, about 3 minutes longer.  
13. Mix soup stock with shrimp and vegetables and simmer for about 5 minutes.  
14. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Shared by Jeff Nickerson and Amber Daubt