As I write this column, mid- March, we’ve just had a week of unusual March snow and cold temperatures. What could be more comforting during a resurgence of winter than a steaming bowl of home-made soup?!
During our recent wedding anniversary celebration at the Omni Bedford Springs, we ate their signature Lobster Bisque, and they shared the recipe! The Omni chain celebrates Sensational Soups throughout the winter, which is a yummy tradition. This recipe, a long-time staple of the Omni hotels, comes from Bob’s Steak & Chop House and has been described as” a reason to keep returning to the Omni Hotels” by Bon Appetit magazine.
Take some extra time and make this scrumptious bisque to get you through the last vestiges of winter! It is full of good-for-you ingredients, including thermogenic spices that will heat you up internally and nourishing, heavy cream, which will provide heart-healthy fats. It does contain brandy and sherry, but if you’re worried, the alcohol effects of these liquors will dissipate with cooking, while the taste they impart will remain.
Let me know how it turns out if you try it…better yet, bring some by my office for a taste test!
Lobster Bisque
Ingredients
Lobster Stock
- 1 lb. lobster meat (use tails and legs if you are using a whole lobster; save the claws for garnish)
- ½ cup + 1 T tomato paste
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 lb. carrots, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 quarts water
- 1 ½ t. cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ t. paprika
- 5 oz. brandy
- 1 ½ oz. sherry
- ¼ t. nutmeg
Bisque
- 3 cups heavy cream (try hard to use organic – avoid added hormones!)
- Cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with enough water to make a watery paste)
- Salt, pepper
Directions:
Rub lobster meat with tomato paste and roast with carrots, celery, onion and garlic in a roasting pan at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from oven, deglaze pan with a splash of brandy and transfer to a Dutch oven or large soup pot. Add water, cayenne, paprika, brandy, sherry and nutmeg and simmer for two hours.
After simmering, blend and strain. Add heavy cream and thicken with cornstarch slurry. Season to taste with salt, pepper and sherry.
Serve with lobster claw meat and diced green onion.
Bon Appetit! To Your Vitality!
