Lobster bisque for a New England treat

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By Jim Bailey
theyankeechef.blogspot.com

© The Yankee Chef 2014

Certainly there are easier ways of preparing lobster bisque, but my recipe is not only genuinely flavorful, but much easier than you may think.

The New England smokiness of the bacon combined with the abundant lobster essence and the addition of Newburg ingredients is the perfect beginning of a Yankee lunch or dinner. This makes about 4 servings.

Lobster Newburg bisque

Lobster Newburg bisque

1 (1 1/4-1 1/2-pound) lobster
3 tablespoons melted butter or margarine
2 tablespoons flour
2 strips maple-cured bacon, diced
1 carrot, scrubbed and thinly sliced
2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
4 cups vegetable stock or broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup heavy, light or half-and-half cream
Toasted bread slices

Cook, cool and pick the lobster, dicing the lobster meat for use late in recipe. Cut the shells as small as possible or smash them between 2 clean kitchen towels; set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together to melted butter and flour until smooth, forming a roux; set aside. In a large pot, over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crisp. Add the crushed lobster shells, carrot and celery. Continue cooking uncovered, and stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly tender.

Add the vegetable stock, Worcestershire and tomato paste, stirring to combine. Cover pot and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and carefully strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth lined colander into another saucepan, discarding shell mixture.

Return to the stove over medium heat and add cream, then salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and bring to a slight boil. Whisk in the roux and continue cooking an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until smooth and up to temperature.

Serve with reserved, diced lobster scattered on top of each serving and crispy toasted bread triangles.

Yankee Chef book coverSchiffer Books of Pennsylvania has released Jim Bailey’s new book The Yankee Chef: Feel Good Food for Every Kitchen. It contains more than 550 traditional New England comfort-food recipes tweaked for today’s palates with hundreds of kitchen tips and food facts. The hardback book is 312 pages and contains 200 color images. Its ISBN is 978-0-7643-4191-5 and the cost is $34.99. The book can be ordered through Misty Valley Books, 802-875-3400.

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Filed Under: Community and Arts LifeThe Yankee Chef

About the Author: Jim Bailey is a third generation Yankee Chef, New England food historian and newspaper columnist. His first cookbook, simply titled The Yankee Chef, has been published. He welcomes all feedback, questions or comments at theyankeechef@aol.com.

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