Classic Maritime Lobster Bisque
Ingredients
½ cup (125 mL) butter1 cup (250 mL) onion, diced
½ cup (125 mL) celery, diced
½ carrot, diced
6 lobsters, carapace shell removed and tamale left in
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh thyme
1 tbsp (15 mL) fresh parsley
3 bay leaves
10 turns pepper mill
1 cup (250 mL) sweet sherry
¼ cup (50 mL) cognac or brandy
6 cups (1.5 L) heavy cream
4 oz (125 g) lobster meat (optional)
Directions
In a medium pan on medium-high heat, melt butter and sauté vegetables until soft. Add spices and lobster bodies; sauté for about 25 minutes. Using a potato masher, crush bodies to help bring out all the flavour. Add sherry and cognac and simmer to reduce for 20 minutes or until thick. Strain to remove lobster bodies, vegetables and bay leaves. Pureé the liquid; stir in cream and warm through.