Shrimp Bisque

I am always on the lookout for a delicious shrimp bisque. Any time I am at a restaurant where this is on the menu it's a definite must! Follow this recipe and you will have all of the tools to make an amazing shrimp bisque right in the comfort of your own home.

Ingredients
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 pound shrimp with shells
2 bay leaves
2 peeled and chopped carrots
2 chopped celery stalks
1 chopped onion
1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup long white rice
2 tbsp tomato paste
3 parsley sprigs
2 thyme sprigs
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped chives

Peel the shrimp and keep the shells. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a large stock pot. Add shrimp shells to stock pot and cook for 5 minutes. Stir shells frequently. Add 1 bay leaf and 8 cups of water. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes. Set a fine mesh strainer over a large bowl and strain stock. Discard solids. Let stock cool slightly then place in refrigerator to chill completely. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally for 4 minutes. Transfer shrimp to a plate and set aside. Add 2 tablespoons of butter to stock pot. After melted, add in carrots, celery, and onion, cook over medium heat, 10 minutes or until ingredients are soft. Remove pot from heat and add in brandy. Return pot to heat and stir until almost evaporated, 2- 3 minutes. Add rice and tomato paste and stir for 1 minute. Add shrimp stock, 1 bay leaf, parsley, thyme, and cayenne. Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside 6 shrimp and stir remaining shrimp into bisque. Remove the parsley, thyme, and bay leaf. Puree bisque in a blender until smooth. You will have to do this in batches. Pour bisque through a fine mesh strainer and into a new pot. Discard any solids. Stir in the cream and reheat bisque over medium heat. Add lemon juice, salt and pepper. Add more cayenne if desired. Finely chop shrimp and mix with chives in a small bowl. Divide bisque into bowls and place shrimp mixture on the top of each bowl. Enjoy!