Saturday, August 6, 2011

Lobster Bisque


Chef Scott says: "This month's recipe is Guppy's own Lobster Bisque. It is a relatively new item on the menu but I have gotten so many requests for this one that I have decided it would be a good one to share this month. Enjoy."


1 tbsp - drawn butter
shells from two raw Maine Lobsters (meat reserved)
1/4 cup.-chopped onion
1/4 cup- chopped leeks
1/4 cup- chopped celery
1/2 cup- tomato paste
1/2 cup brandy
3 cup's - lobster stock
3 cup's beef stock
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes Tabasco
pinch of white pepper
1 tsp. sugar
1 tbsp . dry tarragon
1 tsp. paprika
2 whole bay leaves
roux = 1/4 cup drawn butter & 1/4 cup flour
1 quart. heavy whipping cream

In a large stock pot on medium hot heat, add drawn butter, and lobster shells and cook until shells are red. Then add vegetables and saute until brown. Add tomato paste and roast a minute or two. De glaze with brandy to cook out the alcohol. Add all the rest of the ingredients except roux and cream. Reduce stock by half and pull off stove and strain, reserving the stock. Put stock back on stove and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and add roux to thicken. Add heavy cream and cook on slow until the soup has thickened and is rich. Ladle soup into eight individual bowls, garnish with a dollop of fresh whipped heavy cream, cooked lobster meat, and chives.


Remember the other day at Indian Rocks Beach; Gary says he's used to me for taking photos of everything and is never been embarrassed by my individuality. Here's a shot of the back of the bowl from my lobster bisque at Guppy's Bar and Grill. It wasn't made in China; it's Steelite porcelain made in England. I realize restaurants probably have to have mass produced china in case of breakage, but I was glad to see something of a better quality here.

Speaking of China, I was disturbed the other day at wally world while getting some Plexiglas displays for my library exhibit. I walked by their dishware and saw labels on each one saying, "Hand crafted" and on the back it said made in China. We potters hand craft our ware, dishes at wally world aren't hand crafted. Maybe the first one made was hand crafted, then a mold was probably used. Seems they are trying to get in on the marketing of folks purchasing hand crafted items.

How can we compete with their prices? Because we offer one of a kind work - art - and it is made by yours and my neighbors and by you and me too. Purchasing local pottery doesn't just support a potter, but those who mine the clay, the stores which sell it and the tools, the kiln manufacturers, and on and on. Please purchase local to keep your local economy growing. Wally world has mass produced ceramic dishes and no telling what's in the glazes. Remember the lead in the children's toys from China. I'm just saying. Thanks for reading and for all your comments.

5 comments:

  1. Yum, lobster! I have noticed that a lot of the mass merchants are showing dinnerware that sort of looks hand made, like earthenware/slip looks and some wonky bowls, but you know they are being mass produced in molds, why not just go to your local gallery and get something from someone in your own community! PS: the chicks story made me so sad, I thought about them all day yesterday....

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  2. Our challenge is to convince people that we are offering added value not the least of which is that every pot was made with love and comes with a little bit of the potter inside.

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  3. I could have been hand crafted in China--by rooms full of 10 year old hands.

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  4. That lobster bisque looks scrumptious! I usually order it when I eat out, but maybe I'll try this recipe. Thanks for sharing! I try to avoid buying anything made in China, although sometimes it's hard to find some things that aren't.

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  5. Hi Tracey, thanks, I used to have to avoid going by the dairies where we used to live so as not to feel bad all day long. Yeah seems the mass producers are trying hard to get into the hand made market.

    Hi Dennis, thanks, yes made with love that's for sure, considering how long it takes to make, it's a real bargain.

    Hi Patti, thanks, yeah I wonder who is working in those factories.

    Hi Marguerite, thanks, I was surprised to see the chef is willing to share some of his recipes, hope you try it.

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I love suggestions, questions, critiques, thanks for your comment