Shellfish Stock Recipes

Steps:

• Warm the oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add the shrimp shells, onions, carrots, and celery and saute for 15 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add 1 1/2 quarts of water, the white wine, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1 hour. Strain through a sieve, pressing the solids. You should have approximately 1 quart of stock. You can make up the difference with water or wine if you need to.

Steps:

• Rinse the shrimp shells under cold running water and place them in a 1-gallon stockpot with the remaining ingredients. Bring the pot to a boil and then lower the temperature to a simmer. Skim the impurities that rise to the surface with a ladle, spoon or a skimmer. Simmer the stock for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• When the stock is completed, strain the stockpot and immediately cool the stock using an ice bath of water and ice. Use the amount of stock you need, and refrigerate or freeze the rest.

Steps:

• Combine shrimp shells, onion, lemon, chopped celery, celery leaves, garlic, peppercorns, thyme, and bay leaves in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer until reduced by 1/2, skimming off foam as necessary, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Strain and use or freeze for later use.

Steps:

• Heat an 8-quart stockpot over high heat for about 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and lobster and saute until the shells turn bright red.
• Remove the pan from the heat, add the Cognac, then return to the heat and allow the alcohol to burn off, about 15 to 20 seconds. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste and stir. Add the remaining ingredients and cover with cold water.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, skim, and reduce the heat. Simmer gently for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool slightly and strain through a fine sieve. The stock will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, or freeze in 1-cup batches.