
There are two things I usually have to try at a restaurant. One is bread pudding. The other is lobster bisque. Though I am much picker about where I order my lobster bisque from (no Red Lobster version for me).
Lobster has come down in price as of late (at least in my area) and so I thought I would make a bowl of it for myself at home. There is some work involved, especially since you make your own stock but it gives it a nice flavor.
Lobster Bisque
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 shallot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 tsp tomato paste
8 ounces unsalted butter
1-1/2 lbs Maine lobster
32 ounces water
2 cups heavy cream
2 bay leaves
½ cup dry sherry
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Steam lobster in water until done, about 8 minutes. Save stock. Remove lobster meat from shell; set aside. Break up lobster shells, then place them back into the water; simmer over low heat until reduced by half.
Heat half the butter in a pan over medium heat. Add shallots, garlic and celery and saute until soft, about 10 minutes.
Add bay leaf, tomato paste and sherry and simmer for 10 minutes or until reduced by half.
Add cream and lobster stock and simmer over low heat (Do not boil.) for 30 to 40 minutes or until soup begins to thicken.
Season with salt and pepper. Remove lobster shells and bay leaves. Chop up lobster meat and add to bisque. Stir in remaining butter.
Serve hot with a little crème fraiche and fresh chives.


16 comments
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October 28, 2008 at 1:15 pm
MissLauraQ
Oh my!! My two top favs too – I ALWAYS have the lobster bisque – and I ALWAYS have the bread pudding! Rod won’t eat it if it haws raisins – But I’ll have it anyway!
October 28, 2008 at 1:56 pm
rachel
Oh yum. I wish we lived near lobster!
October 28, 2008 at 2:19 pm
MyKitchenInHalfCups
That would be so good in front of the fire tonight. Wish I had some for dinner tonight.
October 28, 2008 at 6:57 pm
[eatingclub] vancouver || js
That cup of bisque looks gorgeous. I can’t recall the last time I’ve had lobster bisque: must be time to make it, eh?
October 29, 2008 at 10:01 pm
gaga
O-M-G-! I love rich, creamy lobster bisque and this is such a great time of year for it too! Yours is absolutely gorgeous.
October 30, 2008 at 4:15 am
Jenny
Oh my that looks like comfort food to swim in. I have not been feeling good lately, not eating much, but that looks like something I could eat right now.
October 30, 2008 at 4:53 am
Niall Harbison
Wow that looks good! I agree with you that lobster bisque is one of the all time classics! It actually works out a bit cheaper to make in restaurants as you will often have some shells left over from making something like a lobster salad and you can use these to make the stock! I like the addition of sour cream here!
October 30, 2008 at 6:53 am
Cathy-wheresmydamnanswer
This is one soup I have not ever ventured out of my comfort zone to try but the way you lay it out makes it look a lot less intimidating that is for sure!! I will try this one when the weather actually decides to cool down!!
October 30, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Mrs. L
Lobster has come down in price but I haven’t seen the price lowered in restaurants (and certainly not my sushi place last night).
October 30, 2008 at 3:22 pm
matt wright
First time visit (I think..) to your blog.. I love it. great stuff. Really decent photography and a great looking bisque.
October 31, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Deborah
I’ve never had lobster bisque, so maybe I should be looking for some lobster to try this version!
November 4, 2008 at 9:43 am
Lynn
Yummmmm. I just had lobster bisque at Daniel’s Broiler and it looked almost as good as yours.
November 10, 2008 at 9:30 am
LilSis
Hi Peabody,
Now that it is finally cooling off in the evenings here in Southern California, I’m in the “soup making” mood. Lobster Bisque is one of my all time favorites. I’m going to try your recipe. How many servings does this make? Would I have a problem doubling the recipe?
Thanks,
LilSis
November 29, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Jaime
I LOVE lobster bisque!! if i ever get some lobster, i am SO making this!
March 13, 2009 at 6:28 am
springtime… and the living is easy « //o^_^o\
[...] stata per un attimo tentata da un menu molto sudista, tipo lobster bisque, jalapeno cornbread, pecan pie, cherry cobbler e robe del genere, ma magari riciclerò [...]
March 16, 2009 at 7:44 am
Ella
If you ever happen to be in Baltimore, MD, the restaurant Charleston has the BEST lobster bisque. All of their bisques are fantastic – shoot – all of their food is out of this world! I’m guessing it would be a little less expensive to make it at home though – I’ll have to give this a try. Thanks!