Name: Crawfish Bisque
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT1H0M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H25M0.000S
Yield: 8 to 10 servings
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 10 pounds crawfish, boiled, peeled and shells and tail meat reserved; 10 pounds crawfish, boiled, peeled and shells and tail meat reserved; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 4 cloves garlic, chopped; 2 onions, chopped; 2 stalks lemongrass, chopped; 1 stalk celery, chopped; 1 bulb fennel, chopped; 1 thumb ginger, chopped; 1/4 cup white rice; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes; 1 bay leaf; 1 sprig thyme; 1/4 cup brandy; 6 cups crawfish stock; 2 cups heavy cream; 1 lime, zested; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; Hot sauce, such as Tabasco

Directions

Watch how to make this recipe.

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot set over high heat. Crush the crawfish shells and add to the pot, cook for 15 minutes while stirring frequently.
Add the flour to the pan and stir, then add the garlic, onions, lemongrass, celery, fennel and ginger. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 15 minutes.
Add the rice, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, bay leaf and thyme. Stir and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the brandy and cook for several minutes while stirring. Add the stock and the cream, and stir. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a slow simmer. Simmer for 25 minutes and then remove from the heat.
Puree in a blender and strain through fine mesh strainer. Fold the crawfish tails into the bisque and add the lime zest, some salt and pepper and hot sauce. Serve hot.

Cook’s Note

When blending hot liquids, first let cool for 5 minutes or so, then transfer to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open; this will prevent the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth.

This recipe was provided by a chef, restaurant or culinary professional. It has not been tested for home use.

When blending hot liquid, first let it cool for five minutes or so, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters, and pulse until smooth.

Recipe courtesy of Borgne, New Orleans, LA