Preparation time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 x 2 lb lobster (approximately 900 g)
- 1 cup of heavy cream (240 ml)
- 1 cup of dry sherry (240 ml)
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 4 cups of fish stock (960 ml)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (30 ml)
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour (30 g)
- A small bunch of fresh thyme
Method
- Start by heating the olive oil in a large pot over a medium heat.
- Add the lobster to the pot and cook for 6-8 minutes, or until it has turned red. Once it is cooked, remove the lobster from the pot and set it aside for later.
- Using the same pot, add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and crushed garlic. Cook until the vegetables are soft and fragrant.
- Next, add the flour to the vegetables. Stir it in so that the vegetables are coated, and cook for a further 2 minutes.
- Gradually, pour in the fish stock while continuously stirring. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Add the cooked lobster (be sure to remove the meat from the shell first), fresh thyme, and the sherry to the pot. Let everything simmer gently for 20 minutes. In this time, the flavours will meld together and the alcohol in the sherry will cook off.
- After 20 minutes, remove the pot from the heat and allow it to cool for a bit. Then, using a blender or food processor, blend the soup until it is smooth and creamy.
- Return the soup to the heat and stir in the heavy cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Lastly, heat the soup on a low heat until it is warmed through and then it is ready to serve! Serve the soup hot, garnished with some fresh thyme.
This holiday lobster bisque is the perfect dish for a cozy winter evening. Enjoy!
Making a healthier holiday lobster bisque
Holiday lobster bisque can absolutely taste delicious and be healthy at the same time. The key is balance. Replace cream with low-fat milk and use a natural sweetener in place of sugar.
Additionally, try not to overindulge in lobster. You can also add more vegetables such as celery, carrots, onions and tomatoes to your dish.
These tweaks will not only make for a healthier dish but also bring out the natural flavors of your ingredients.
Storing your holiday lobster bisque
Storing your lobster bisque properly can save you time and ensure you always have a delicious meal to heat up. Once cooked, let the bisque cool down then transfer to airtight containers.
You can refrigerate it where it will last up to 3 days. If you want to store for longer, freeze the bisque. Just be sure to thaw it in the refrigerator for a day before reheating and consuming.
Serving suggestions for holiday lobster bisque
Holiday lobster bisque goes well with a variety of accompaniments. A simple, crisp salad with vinaigrette dressing can balance the creaminess of the bisque. Freshly baked baguette or garlic bread is also a great choice.
As for the drinks, pair your bisque with a white wine like Chardonnay, which complements seafood dishes very nicely. If you prefer non-alcoholic beverages, you can’t go wrong with a glass of cool, refreshing lemonade.
