LOBSTER CRAB BISQUE RECIPES

Steps:

• Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium-high heat. Saute shallots until golden, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook over high heat until slightly browned, about 2 additional minutes.
• Remove from heat and add brandy and Madeira reserving 1/4 cup of each for final seasoning. Cook over high heat until liquid is reduced by half. Add lobster stock and return to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the strength of your stock. (Weaker stocks need to cook longer to concentrate their flavors.) Occasionally skim and discard foam that rises to the top.
• Make beurre manie by mixing butter and flour with your fingers to form a smooth paste. Press onto ends of a whisk.
• When broth has a strong, almost salty, lobster flavor, add cream and bring it back to a boil, skimming foam occasionally. Then whisk in beurre manie until dissolved. Cook an additional 5 minutes over high heat, whisking occasionally.
• Strain through a fine sieve, pressing with the back of a ladle to extract all juices. Season with lemon juice, reserved brandy and Madeira, and hot pepper sauce, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Peel shrimp and place shells and broth in medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until simmering. Simmer 30 minutes. Strain through a fine mesh strainer and set broth aside. Chop flesh into bite size pieces; set aside.
• Melt butter in 5-quart saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Stir in shallot and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add flour and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in tomato paste and cook until bottom of pan begins to brown, about 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Whisk in sherry until smooth, scraping brown bits from bottom of pan. Stir in broth and half-and-half; bring to a gentle boil and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp and lobster and simmer 5 minutes, just until shrimp turn pink. Garnish each serving with chives, if desired.