Creamy Seafood Bisque with Shrimp & Scallops 

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 200 g (7 oz) shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 200 g (7 oz) sea scallops

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ cup white wine (optional, but recommended)

• 2 cups seafood stock (or chicken stock)

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ tsp paprika (or smoked paprika)

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for mild heat)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Preparation

1. Pat the shrimp and scallops dry with paper towels. Lightly season with salt and black pepper.

2. Keep seafood refrigerated while preparing the soup base.

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Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Sear the Seafood

• Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a pot or deep skillet over medium-high heat.

• Sear scallops for 1–2 minutes per side until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.

• Add shrimp and cook 1–2 minutes until just pink. Remove and set aside with scallops.

Step 2: Build the Bisque Base

• In the same pot, add remaining butter.

• Sauté onion over medium heat for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent.

• Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.

• Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen flavor.

Step 3: Deglaze & Simmer

• Pour in white wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.

• Add seafood stock, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

• Simmer gently for 10–12 minutes.

Step 4: Creamy Finish

• Reduce heat to low and stir in heavy cream.

• Return shrimp and scallops to the pot and gently simmer 2–3 minutes, just until seafood is tender and cooked through. Do not boil.

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Serve

• Ladle bisque into warm bowls.

• Garnish with chopped parsley and freshly cracked black pepper.

• Serve hot with crusty bread or garlic toast.

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Final Result

This seafood bisque is luxuriously creamy, deeply aromatic, and rich in ocean flavor, with tender shrimp and buttery scallops. Elegant yet comforting, it’s perfect for special dinners, holidays, or restaurant-style meals at home.