Anyone got a shrimp bisque recipe that doesn't involve a food processor?

[CTyankee]

I don't have that kitchen appliance (very small kitchen) and have managed to survive without one. but I have some raw shrimp left in the bag in the freezer that I'd like to put in something and I thought of bisque. I can use the shrimp shells in the stock...

Also, can I use white wine instead of sherry in it? Or should I just go buy the damn sherry...

[Warpy]

1. A blender or immersion blender will work as well, really

and that's what we all used before Cuisinart appeared on the scene with a machine that also sliced, diced, grated, and did a tap dance if our counters were slick enough.

A very dry white wine will work. If it has any sweetness at all, it will be awful. I've successfully used dry white wines when I've run out of sherry. The flavor's a bit different but the final dish was still good.

If you're in CT, however, maybe just bagging the bisque and serving scampi is a much better idea than going out today.

[CTyankee]

2. don't have that blender either, sadly...

I think I'll get the sherry. I'm assuming it won't really go bad...

I really don't have enough shrimp for scampi or even for my fave Venetian sauce with fresh plum tomatoes, olive oil, white wine and a small onion. Simple but not hearty enough for a meal, which is why I thought of soup...

[Warpy]

11. Well, dang, you're screwed.

I can easily do without a food processor or standing blender. I use the immersion jobbie for most things, it's great to be able to puree things in a plastic baggie and not have a big glass jar to wash. It's one thing that really earns its kitchen space, especially since mine has a gadget that hangs it on a cabinet above the sink, where it can drip dry after I wash it between uses.

But yes, the alternative in your case would be a large mortar and pestle and lots of work.

[A HERETIC I AM]

13. LOL

Well, dang, you're screwed.

LOL.....my kitchen!

[Little Star]

3. Paula Dean has one but it has no sherry either....

Creamy Shrimp Bisque

2 celery stalks, chopped
1 green onion with tops, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
1 glove garlic, minced
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups half and half
3 1/2 cups fish stock
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
8 ounces cooked shrimp or lobster meat, chopped

In a medium saucepan, add celery, onions and butter, stirring occasionally. When tender add garlic and mix together. Stir in flour and half and half. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in fish stock and parsley. Cook for 10 minutes until it thickens. Add shrimp meat and let simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through. Stir occasionally. Add salt, to taste.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/creamy-shrimp-bisque-recipe/index.html

[CTyankee]

4. ONE green onion? Does that mean one BUNCH of green onions?

It's confusing...what do you think?

[Little Star]

12. I think it means just one with the tops but it is a little confusing.

[cbayer]

5. No, but I would second the recommendation for a stick blender.

I also have a very small kitchen (my money is on it being smaller than yours). I love my stick blender and use it very frequently, particularly for soup. They are inexpensive and easy to both clean and store.

I don't have a food processor either, but I do have good knives. When recipes call for chopping in a processor, I just chop more!

[CTyankee]

6. I'm really tight on space but I'll look for that stick blender...might be just the thing I need.

[cbayer]

7. I know tight on space, believe me.

I have narrowed my kitchen down to only essential items, and most of them can be used for multiple things.

I love to cook, so it's critical that I be able to do it in this space.

FWIW, the floor space in my kitchen is approximately 2 x 4 feet, lol.

[CTyankee]

8. Is it a galley kitchen, perchance?

Mine is not a galley, exactly. But no space for a kitchen table and when I redid the kitchen, everything was a pull-out shelf if possible (lower level container storage, spice jar next to range, narrow storage closet for cans etc). Saved space on a shelf level refrigerator. So I probably have the same width as you do, but I think mine is probably longer (but I'll have to measure)...

[cbayer]

9. It is, indeed. It's a challenge, but I have put some excellent meals out of that little space.

Good luck with your bisque!

[CTyankee]

10. thanks, you are a sweetheart!

[Warpy]

16. I tend to be an awful snob about food processors

and have been known to sniff that they're mostly for people with extremely poor knife skills, but I'm usually in a very bad mood when I do that.

I use mine mostly for blending pastry. I have a mandoline for shredding that 3 heads of cabbage and grating the bag of carrots for coleslaw for a crowd. It's easier to clean than the Cuisinart and easier to store. Mine lives on a hook above the sink, also drip drying after cleaning.

[cbayer]

18. Once in awhile I wish I had one, but that's rare.

What I could use is a separate coffee grinder for grinding up whole spices, but I don't really need it.

I bought a mandolin, but it's such a PITA to put together and clean that I never use it and have stowed it (somewhere).

But that stick blender? It's the best electric kitchen tool I have ever had.

[Warpy]

20. I have one that doesn't suck space, at all

and I have used it since I coped with tiny Victorian (NO counter space) kitchens in Boston. It's this one:



It does the half ounce of coriander as well as the quarter cup of ginger or garlic. It's easy to clean.

http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-MM-2M-Mini-Chopper-Grinder/dp/B00004S9EQ/ref=sr_1_4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1360457455&sr=1-4&keywords=cuisinart+spice+grinder

[cbayer]

21. I think I actually have a space for that and will look into it.

I know once I had it, I would use it.

One thing I like is a rub for meat. This often involve grinding up spices with garlic, and this would work really well.

Thanks!

[A HERETIC I AM]

14. I have two immersion blenders.

I'll sell you the old one.


$47,000



OK.....two bucks ( I was shooting for the used Corvette I wanna buy, but oh well)


Seriously.......want it?

[CTyankee]

15. I don't want one. I really don't . I don't use them for drinks as I don't make those drinks.

I'm not a cook that blends stuff like that. I just cook straightforward stuff.

[A HERETIC I AM]

17. OKie Doke! n/t

[CTyankee]

19. sorry, I didn't mean to be brusque...I just don't have a lot of space and I'm a bit crabby

tonight....

[A HERETIC I AM]

22. No worries!

I hope your evening gets better!

If you're up in the middle of all that snow, you have my sympathies.

Had a long chat this evening with my cousin who lives near Middletown.

30 inches on his neighborhood.

[CTyankee]

23. 34 inches here in New haven. It's OK, really. We'll get thru, we always do...no matter

what...but it is not that bad.

Just my mood tonight...tomorrow will prolly be just fine!