Ingredients

1 pound large shrimp (about 20), peeled and deveined, shells reserved

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

9 shallots (8 ounces), chopped

1/2 bulb fennel (8 ounces), chopped

1 large carrot (6 ounces), chopped

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup Cognac

6 cups water

2 teaspoons coarse salt

4 black peppercorns, plus freshly ground pepper

1 dried bay leaf

1 sprig flat-leaf parsley

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons evaporated milk

Chervil sprigs, for garnish

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut 9 shrimp in half lengthwise, and reserve for garnish. Arrange shrimp shells in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast until completely dry and slightly browned, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add remaining whole shrimp, and cook until pink and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Reduce heat to medium-low. Add shallots, fennel, and carrot to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender but not browned, about 15 minutes. Add shells, and cook for 2 minutes. Add tomato paste, and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add Cognac, and simmer until liquid has almost evaporated. Add the water, salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, and parsley. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes. Uncover, and let cool to room temperature. Discard bay leaf.

Working in batches, puree soup and cooked shrimp in a blender until smooth. Strain each batch through a fine sieve into a large bowl, pressing liquid through with a rubber spatula. Return solids to blender to be pureed with next batch. Discard remaining solids after all soup has been pureed.

Transfer soup to a clean large pot, and place over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warmed through. (Do not boil or soup will curdle.) Stir in evaporated milk.

Heat a medium saute pan over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add reserved raw shrimp, and cook until pink and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with pepper. Divide soup among 6 bowls, and garnish each with 3 shrimp halves and a sprig of chervil. Serve immediately.