Creamy Shrimp Bisque

Happy Easter Everyone!!!!!!!! I was watching Paula Deen one afternoon and she was making a shrimp bisque, it looked amazing and so easy. I have never had bisque before so I knew this recipe would be a great one to use for my first shot at it. Despite the fact that Paula's recipe was so simple and I'm sure very delicious I made a great deal of changes to her original recipe to make it more our style.

2 - Celery Stalks Chopped
3 - Green Onions Chopped (white & green parts)
4 Tbs. - Butter
1 Tbs. - Minced Garlic
1/3 C. - Flour
2 C. - Half & Half
3 1/2 C. - Fish Stock
3 Tbs. - Parsley
12 Oz. - Cooked Small Shrimp
1 15oz. - Can Diced Potatoes
1 Tsp. - Cayenne Pepper
1 Tbs. - Onion Powder
1 Tsp. - Garlic Powder
1 Tsp. - Old Bay
Salt & Pepper to Taste

In a medium saucepan, add the celery, onion and butter stirring occasionally until tender for about 10 minutes. When tender add the garlic and sauté for another 3-4 minutes. Stir in the flour and cook for about 5 minutes to take out the flour taste then add the potatoes, half and half. Let simmer over medium heat for another 5 minutes. Stir in the fish stock, parsley and all of the seasonings then let this cook for another 10 minutes and it gets thick and bubbly. Add the shrimp meat and simmer for another 10 minutes.

Side Note: My husband and I decided that even though this bisque was amazing the way it was it could also benefit from some smoky bacon. So next time, I will cook up some bacon pieces then set them aside and cook the onion and celery in the bacon drippings. Once the bisque is ladled into bowls, sprinkle the top with the crispy bacon.

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