Soup on Sunday: Shrimp Bisque With Bourbon

Three words…Shrimp. Bisque. Bourbon. What’s not to love. Personally, I think this just might be one for the Thanksgiving table. Enjoy.

2 lbs large shrimp
2 tbs olive oil
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh-ground pepper
1/4 c plus 3 tbs bourbon
3 tbs unsalted butter
3/4 c each chopped celery and fennel
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tbs tomato paste
2 tbs all-purpose flour
1/2 c white wine
1 1/2 c  chicken broth
4 c water
1/2 c basmati rice
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary and thyme
8 tbs heavy cream

Peel, devein, and- reserving 16 whole shrimp-coarsely chop remaining shrimp, reserving shells. Heat 1 tbs oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season shrimp with 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper. Cook chopped shrimp until just opaque. Remove from heat and set aside. Add remaining oil and shrimp shells to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until shells begin to brown. Add 1/4 c bourbon and cook, stirring constantly, until reduced by half. Transfer shells and liquid to a bowl and set aside.

Add 1 tbs butter to the pan and melt over medium heat. Add celery and fennel and cook for 10 mins. Add onions, garlic, and remaining salt and pepper and cook until onions are soft. Add tomato paste and cook until it begins to coat the bottom of the pan. Add remaining butter and melt. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, to incorporate. Add wine, 4 cups water, broth, rice, herbs, and shrimp shells and bring to a simmer. Cook until rice is tender-about 35 minutes. Run soup and shells through a food mill, discard solids, and return to pan set over low heat. Add chopped shrimp, cream, and remaining bourbon and cook until heated through. Melt remaining butter in a small skillet over high heat and saute the reserved shrimp until cooked through-about 4 minutes.

Divide soup among 8 bowls, garnish with shrimp, and serve.

Recipe www.epicurious.com