Joe's Maryland Shrimp Bisque

Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• 4 lbs shrimp (with heads on)
• 4 quarts half-and-half
• 1/4 lb butter
• 3 large shallots
• 5 garlic cloves
• 4 tablespoons old bay seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 cup sherry wine

Recipe

• 1 pull heads off shrimp.
• 2 in 4 quart saucepan put 2 cans chicken broth.
• 3 put shrimp heads in saucepan with broth.
• 4 bring to a boil.
• 5 reduce heat and simmer for 30 minute.
• 6 remove shrimp heads and discard.
• 7 reduce liquid (to aprox 12 oz).
• 8 in frying pan saute thinly sliced shallots and crushed garlic with 1 tbsp butter then turn off heat.
• 9 pour reduced chicken stock (from #7) in 8 quart stock pot then add shallots & garlic and stir, then slowly add sherry and stir, then add half and half while stirring and remaining butter.
• 10 add all spices and turn burner on low.
• 11 clean and de-vein shrimp then cut shrimp in half.
• 12 add shrimp to soup.
• 13 turn heat up a little (no more than 170 degrees - will curdle if heat is too high. if it does curdle strain out shrimp and put soup in blender and blend on high until re-mixed and smooth then pour back in pot and add shrimp again) and cook for 1 hour stirring occasionally.
• 14 serve and enjoy!