Sarasotas Best Scallop Bisque Recipes

SCALLOP BISQUE

Steps:

• In med saucepan, sauté onion in melted butter until softened.
• Blend flour into butter mixture and gradually add milk, stirring constantly.
• Continue cooking and stirring until thickened.
• Add salt, pepper, garlic, bay leaf and scallops.
• Cook over low heat 15 minutes.
• Remove bay leaf and serve.

SEAFOOD BISQUE

Steps:

• Melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in a 6 quart Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium high heat. Add shrimp and scallops and cook until all the shrimp pieces have just turned pink and are opaque, stirring frequently (about 4 minutes).
• Remove shrimp and scallops with a slotted spoon and place in a large bowl, leaving juices in pot.
• Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the pot with the juices and melt. Add celery and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, or until tender (stirring frequently). Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, while continuing to stir.
• Slowly add flour while whisking to combine. Pour in half-and-half and seafood stock, while continuing to whisk.
• Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring frequently. Reduce heat as necessary to maintain a simmer (medium to medium-low).
• Return shrimp and scallops to pot. Add wine, Old Bay Seasoning, nutmeg, sugar, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine.
• Simmer for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley when serving, if desired.

SARASOTA'S BEST SCALLOP BISQUE

Steps:

• Scallops -- In a large pot on medium heat add the olive oil and then the scallops and saute until slightly sauteed. Literally just 1 minute. Remove and set to the side to let drain.
• Vegetable Base -- Then in the same pot (if necessary you can add a little more olive oil to saute the vegetables, but it should be ok. Then add the shallots, fennel, celery and potato and saute until soft. About 3-4 minutes. Then add in the bay leaf chicken or vegetable broth, clam juice and cook until the vegetables are tender. 20 minutes or so.
• Scallops -- Remove the bay leaf, then add the scallops back in and with an immersion blender or you can use a regular blender, blend the scallops and vegetable mixture until thick, creamy and smooth.
• Finishing -- Add in the fresh thyme, sherry, cream, salt and pepper to taste. Keep on medium low to let it heat up. Now if you like it thinner you can add a little more chicken stock, and if you like it thicker you could make a little "slurry" with corn starch and water to help thicken the soup, but I don't find it necessary. It should be just about perfect.
• Garnish -- My favorite part. I take some nice big sea scallops patted dry and dredge in egg mixed with salt and pepper, and then the bread crumbs. Then in a small non-stick skillet, melt the butter and saute until golden brown on each side. Just 2-3 minutes per side is all it takes. Then I just add 2-3 scallops per wood skewer and add to the bisque. Some chopped chives and a dash of paprika make for a extremely elegant soup. And the fresh sauteed scallops just taste so good with the creamy soup.
• I don't make this for everyday soup, but for a casual or even formal dinner party it is always a show stopper. The soup can easily be made ahead and then reheated. Then just saute your skewered scallops as a garnish and serve. It really is a great soup.

SHRIMP BISQUE

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in flour until blended. Stir in the water, cream, chili powder, bouillon, cumin and coriander; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes. , Cut shrimp into bite-size pieces; add to soup. Simmer 5 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink. Gradually stir 1/2 cup hot soup into sour cream; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Heat through (do not boil). Garnish with cilantro, avocado and additional shrimp if desired.

CREAMY SEAFOOD BISQUE

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add red onion and mushrooms; saute for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended; add tomato paste. Gradually whisk in broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes., Add clams and shrimp; return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 5-10 minutes longer or until shrimp turn pink, stirring occasionally. Stir in crab and cream; heat through (do not boil). Serve with cheese and green onions.