Description
Lobster bisque by Ina Garten delivers rich, creamy comfort with elegant coastal flavors. Sophisticated ingredients and classic French techniques combine to create a luxurious soup perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340 g) chopped lobster meat (or more)
- 3 tbsps butter
- 3 tbsps flour
- 3 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 cups seafood stock
- 1 cup white wine
- ½ cup heavy cream (or more)
- 1 cup chopped white or yellow onions
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ¼ cup cognac or brandy (optional)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 sprig fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat until golden. Add onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and tomato paste, cooking for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Flour Integration: Dust sautéed vegetables evenly with flour, stirring thoroughly to coat. Cook for one minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create a robust foundation for the bisque.
- Liquid Infusion: Pour seafood stock, white wine, and cognac into the vegetable mixture. Incorporate lobster meat, paprika, bay leaf, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Simmer on medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent scorching.
- Cream Transformation: Remove bay leaf and thyme. Fold in heavy cream, seasoning with salt and black pepper. Blend the mixture using an immersion blender or transfer to a standard blender, processing until achieving a velvety, uniform consistency.
- Presentation: Ladle the luxurious bisque into warm bowls. Elevate the dish with a cream swirl, sprinkle of fresh herbs, or additional lobster meat to create an elegant, restaurant-quality finish.
Notes
- Select Fresh Seafood: Choose high-quality, fresh lobster meat for the most authentic and rich flavor profile in your bisque.
- Manage Flour Carefully: Toast flour briefly to eliminate raw taste and create a smooth, nutty base without burning the vegetables.
- Control Blending Technique: Blend in small batches or use an immersion blender to achieve a velvety, consistent texture without lumps or separation.
- Balance Seasoning Wisely: Adjust salt, pepper, and cayenne gradually, tasting as you go to maintain the delicate balance of seafood and spice flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg