Back when Suzanne changed her eating habits, I had no idea what bisque was. I thought maybe it was what you used when you played frisbee, or an abbreviated name for a breakfast bread item, maybe even what a farmer with a speech impediment calls one of his implements.

Now I know and if you’re not sure, Bisque is a style of soup. From what I can read, it is of French origin although modern bisque is far different than the way it all originally started out. As it turns out, its evolution happens to be to Suzanne’s advantage as the modern bisque has a smooth texture and is often strained or pureed before serving. Since Suzanne now needs foods that are emulsified or pureed, bisque seems like the perfect menu item for her when we eat out.

Suzanne was very reluctant to eat out, especially with friends as foods she didn’t prepare herself were difficult to swallow. Along with that, she knew friends felt uncomfortable eating around her since she couldn’t eat with them. It has taken some time, but now Suzanne has started to enjoy eating at restaurants when and if she can find something that works. When looking online for places where we can go out to eat, bisque is a menu item I now often look for. Once we are at the eating establishment, we have learned that all bisque is not created equal. It’s amazing to me that what some restaurants have called tomato bisque is more like chunky tomato vegetable soup.

Her first attempt at bisque was when we were in south Florida this past June at Shuck-N-Dive where she ordered the tomato bisque. Since her tolerance for spices has also changed due to her treatments, and we were at a ‘cajun cafe’ we thought it best if we ask the server if the soup was spicy, and since he didn’t think so, she ordered it. The soup came and it was a perfect consistency. As I am now her duly assigned taste tester, I tried the soup. Well, you guessed it, the bisque was so spicy, Justin and I even thought it was spicy hot; to Suzanne’s disappointment.

Portillo’s in Champaign has been a big go-to for Suzanne as they will sever her a milkshake and chicken noodle soup; hold the chicken, hold the noodles; a perfect combination. Other soups that seem to work well at cooperative restaurants are French Onion (yep, hold the onions, cheese, and croutons); and Beef Vegetable when you can get them to skim it off the top. Of course at home, Suzanne takes any of those, or basically any soup she can find, puts them through her VitaMixer, and voilà, supper.

We are always looking for restaurants that may have something that she can eat, so recommendations are always welcome. There is no doubt that whenever you’re ready to go and share a meal together, Suzanne now has her coat on.

It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Matthew 4:4