Lobster Bisque- What’s More Romantic (& Easier?!)

Lobster Bisque might be the perfect menu selection for Valentine’s Day, if you’re not going to a fancy restaurant. If they have it on their menu, you can bet it’ll cost a whole lot more than what it takes for you to make it.

If you’re really pinching pennies, you can substitute langostino (not exactly lobster; more like a small crab) or shrimp. Definitely cheaper than lobster! (Even if lobster is so good…)

This recipe just happens to be low-carb and gluten-free. Not to be trendy, but mainly because this is how it tastes best- with just a bit of sauteed onion and tomato to give it body, and none of those flour-y thickeners that are sometimes used. This Lobster Bisque is also very easy to make, so the cook has enough energy left to still feel romantic. Perfect for Valentine’s Day! Serves 4-6.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. or so shrimp heads, if available
• 1 medium large onion, chopped
• Virgin Olive oil
• 1 12-oz. pkg. frozen Langostino (or sub shrimp, or real lobster)
• 16 oz. canned tomatoes
• 1/2 c. cream
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2-4 c. shrimp stock (or sub chicken stock)
• Fresh herbs (tarragon and thyme, or others)
• Grated pink peppercorns (or chili flakes)

PREPARATION

1. Ideally, you might purchase head-on shrimp for previous meals; save the shrimp heads to make an excellent stock. The shrimp heads are particularly high in the esteemed nutrient “Astaxanthin“; plus, it makes super delicious stock. Prepare shrimp stock using heads of shrimp, covered in boiling water and cooked until flavorful. Use: > 1 lb. or so shrimp heads

2. Saute in some olive oil until translucent and soft: > 1 medium large onion

3. Process in blender (or use immersion blender): > Sauteed onion > 2 c. (16 oz.) canned tomato

4. To the processed onion and tomato, add and pulse/mix just until blended: >1 12-oz. pkg. frozen Langostino (or sub shrimp, or real lobster) > 1/2 c. cream > 1 tsp. salt > fresh herbs > 2-4 c. shrimp stock (or sub chicken stock)

5. Put back into soup pot, heat, and garnish with fresh-grated pink pepper (or pepper flakes) to serve