Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Seafood Bisque

It was cold and dreary here this weekend. And while we were lucky up to escape the (expletives deleted) snow with which we were threatened, we were lucky if the temperature ever hit 40. So, Saturday night was a perfect night for soup. My cupboards and refrigerator were shockingly empty (hardly a surprise, since I had forgotten to order a food shipment for Thursday), but I had some imitation crab in the freezer. And, since I love bisque, I hunted in vain for a recipe, and ultimately created my own.

MARJIE'S SEAFOOD BISQUE

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
2 finely minced onions
2 finely minced carrots
4 finely minced or shredded potatoes
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1 cup white wine

1-1/2 pounds imitation crab
1 cup powdered milk
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp pepper
1/4 cup sherry
1/2 cup water whisked with up to 2 tbsp cornstarch, if needed


In a large stockpot, melt the butter. Add the onions, and saute until soft. Add the carrot, potatoes, broth, water and wine; let them simmer for an hour or so, until the potatoes dissolve. If you wish, run the broth through the blender at this point, but I didn't bother; there really were no lumps in it. Add the crab, and cook until heated, then whisk in the powdered milk and pepper. If the broth isn't thick enough for you at this point, add the water/cornstarch mixture and bring the bisque to a boil. Taste, and add more salt, if needed (I didn't add any, but I'm not a huge salt fan). Add the cream and sherry, and heat to just below boiling. Serve with a mild white bread, such as Italian.

Patrick, who hates food, exclaimed that this was great soup. I only had one quart left over, and the three boys shared it for lunch on Sunday. If you want to use something other than the imitation seafood, it would be great, but we really enjoyed this. And I later learned from Louise that Monday was National Seafood Bisque Day, so maybe the boys should have saved the leftovers for lunch on that day? And, Paula, this works for your baby!

15 comments:

buffalodick said...

I'd love that anytime..

SissySees said...

Oh wow... Makes me want to skip the meeting we have tonight and make bisque!

SissySees said...

PS - Seriously... Pioneer Woman has a cookbook, why don't you?

Mickle in NZ said...

Mmmm, just lovely for a cooler day.

And no need to worry about just
what shellfish are in it(assorted shell fish allergies and major intolerances over here in my family)

My Oyster loving Dad can no longer eat any shellfish, Sister can no longer eat mussels, in any which way - and I don't see the point of any that aren't prawns or beautifully prepared "fresh from the sea" COOKED crabs

oh- nighty night, best I try sleep. Foody rambles must be a help to overcome insomnia - Zebbycat is a lovingly no-use

Paula said...

Mmmm, mmmm, good! You did save enough for me, right? This looks utterly amazing. It's pouring down rain right now, and a bowl of soup, even at 8:00 am, sounds wonderful. That sherry puts it right over the top!

Sadly, my wee lass can't have the imitation crab because it has wheat in it (another one of those sneaky things -- I mean who would have thought they'd add wheat in there). Guess I'll have to fork out the big bucks for some dungeness crab! Oh yeah, like my arm is really being twisted to do that! :-)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Your bisque looks thick and creamy, just perfect for a cold dreary night.

It's amazing how creative you can be when the cupboards are almost bear.

Tobi said...

That sounds amazing. And looks just wonderful. I second Chan's comments - where's Marjie's cookbook.

Linda said...

Your burning bush is gorgeous. Here they only grow about three feet high:( I'm been looking for a recipe for this........thanks!

pam said...

I've never made a bisque, but it sounds so rich and creamy!

noble pig said...

I love that you said he hates food...I have one like that too...but he ate this and that's awesome.

Pam said...

What a rich, creamy and delicious soup Marjie. YUM!

Tatersmama said...

Mmmm! I could eat seafood in any fashion... at any time! The Old Guy? Not so much, since he's convinced he's allergic to it. Only because he rubbed prawn juice (he was fishing) in his eye once, and it watered for hours.
So now I have to sneak seafood in when he isn't looking!

And I second (or is it third or fourth?) Channon's comment! GO for it, girl!

The Blonde Duck said...

I have never had bisque, but I have had bisquick.

I had to. :)

John said...

I love bisque and my oldest son would rather order an interesting soup than an item on the children's menu. We will have to try this! I love your posts on cooking or on the Calvert curriculum!

Anonymous said...

One comment intrigued me - how do you ORDER food? I would like to do that if I knew a source for it. Could you expand on that thought? By the way, the soup looks great - especially for a chilly day.