Shrimp Bisque by Denicola’s Foods

I hardly ever make anything from a packet. I make my own broths, grow some of my own herbs, and always, always, always make foods from scratch.  At least, until recently. 

On a past visit to Red Stick Spice Company, the owners of Denicola’s Foods were serving samples of their Crawfish Bisque and Pastalaya as I shopped for spices. Originally, I turned down the sample since I wasn’t hungry but was encouraged by a friend that I should “just have a taste.”

I did.

Several sample cups later, I was stuffing the Denicola’s bisque mix into my already full paper bag and taking it home for dinner. After a long day, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to all of the prep work I had waiting in this homemade chowder, and a quick and easy, “Mom on the Run”-type meal was in order.

Pictured: Shrimp Bisque using pre-packaged bisque mix by Denicola’s Foods.  Just throw together the packet’s ingredients with water, corn, cream, and your choice of crawfish or shrimp and experience restaurant-style bisque in just a few minutes! 

The pre-packaged bisque required only a few ingredients: water, canned corn kernels, a little bit of cream, and Gulf seafood.  The process? Unbelievably easy.  Simply bring each ingredient together in gradual steps (making sure not to boil the mixture), and a seafood bisque suddenly appears.

What I can appreciate best about pre-packaged foods is the ease with which a recipe can be made and the lack of self-doubt when tasting the final product.  Unlike a homemade soup or stew that’s prone to scorching or too much salt, Denicola’s Bisque contains all necessary spices with no guess work. No need to add salt, pepper, or Cajun spices: Denicola’s has it taken care of for you.

Although I’m certain I’ll continue to be a stickler for homemade foods, I’m learning to appreciate when pre-packaged goods can make my life just a little bit easier (and tastier). That’s not to say this bisque can’t be personalized with a sprinkle of parsley or a dash of your favorite herb, but when the work has mostly been done for you, why not embrace the night off? I hardly ever make anything from a packet, well, except for this Shrimp Bisque.

Shrimp Bisque by Denicola’s Foods

Yield: 4-6 (5-ounce servings)

Calories: 306.4 (see here for full nutritional information)

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Read below for my version of Denicola’s Bisque with Shrimp or see here for my article in Louisiana’s state newspaper, The Advocate.

Ingredients:

*1 (5-ounce) package of Denicola’s Bisque

*2 cups water, hot but not boiling

*1 (15.25-ounce) can corn kernels, drained (can use 8.75-oz can for less corn)

*1 (12-ounce) package frozen shrimp (can substitute crawfish), thawed and drained

*1 cup heavy cream (“whipping cream”)

1.) Warm water over medium-high heat until just before boiling. Add bisque packet to water and whisk to combine. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes.

2.) Add corn to mixture and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until corn has warmed.

3.) Add shrimp and cook until pink, about 3 to 5 minutes (be wary of over-cooking!). Pour in heavy cream, combine with bisque and warm, but do not boil. Serve with crusty bread.

–Helana Brigman

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