Bisque (food) facts for kids
Lobster bisque
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| Type | Soup |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | France |
| Main ingredients | Crustaceans (lobster, langoustine, crab, shrimp or crayfish), rice |
Bisque is a delicious, creamy soup from France. It is known for its smooth texture and rich flavor. This special soup is usually made from a broth of crustaceans. These include tasty seafood like lobster, langoustine, crab, shrimp, or crayfish. Bisque is one of the most popular seafood soups, much like a chowder.
What Does "Bisque" Mean?
The name bisque might come from Biscay, which is a bay in Spain and France. Another idea is that it comes from the French words bis cuites, meaning "twice cooked." This makes sense because the seafood used in bisque is cooked two times. First, the shells are lightly fried. Then, they are simmered in wine and other flavorful ingredients.
Sometimes, the word 'bisque' is also used for creamy soups that don't have seafood. These soups are made by blending cooked ingredients until they are smooth. Common non-seafood bisques include squash, tomato, mushroom, and red pepper soups.
How Bisque is Made
Bisque is a clever way to use parts of crustaceans that might not be sold whole. The goal is to get all the amazing flavor from them. In a real bisque, the shells are often ground into a fine paste. This paste is then added to the soup to make it thicker and even more flavorful.
A famous chef, Julia Child, once said that you shouldn't wash your cooking tools until the soup is completely finished. This is because you want to keep every bit of flavor! Bisques are often thickened with rice. The rice can either be strained out, leaving its starchy thickness behind, or blended into the soup at the end.
Traditionally, seafood bisque is served in a special cup with two handles, placed on a small plate.
See also
In Spanish: Bisque para niños
