Creamy Seafood a La King

My recipe for seafood a la King can be served as a chowder, over basmati rice, in puff pastries, or simply over toasted English muffins. Any way you serve it, it is delicious.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 2  medium bay leaves
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 (8 ounce) bottle  clam juice
• 1 (10 ounce) can baby clams, in juice
• 1 (15 ounce) can low sodium chicken broth
• 1 (20 ounce) package  Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onion
• 1 (24 ounce) package  Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes
• 1 (15 -16 ounce) jar  traditional alfredo sauce
• 3  tablespoons  snipped green onions
• 2  teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon white pepper
• 1⁄2 cup coconut milk
• 2  cups  whole milk
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄4 cup  frozen peas
• 1⁄4 cup  minced  red pepper
• 2  tablespoons  minced cilantro
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  Old Bay Seasoning
• 8  ounces  cooked shelled deli shrimp
• 8  ounces  cooked chunked  imitation crabmeat

Directions

1. INTO a 4-quart pot, add 2 medium bay leaves, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 (8 ounce) bottle clam juice, the strained juice from 1 (10 ounce) can baby clams in juice (reserve clams and set aside), and 1 (15 ounce) can low sodium chicken broth.
2. ADD 1 (20 ounce) package Simply Potatoes Diced Potatoes with Onion (and if desired, a few pre-cooked bacon crumbles); BRING to a boil.
3. REDUCE heat to medium; COVER.
4. COOK for 7 minutes, or until potatoes are firm-tender.
5. UNCOVER; ADD 1 (24 ounce) package Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes and 1 (15-16 ounce) jar traditional Alfredo sauce; MIX well.
6. REDUCE heat to medium-low; STIR in reserved clams, 3 tablespoons snipped green onions, 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/2 cup canned coconut milk.
7. POUR 2 cups whole milk into a medium bowl; WHISK 1/4 cup flour gradually into milk, blending well; STIR slurry into pot slowly, while stirring rigorously.
8. ADD 1/4 cup frozen peas, 1/4 cup minced red peppers, 2 tablespoons minced cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning; SIMMER uncovered, stirring as needed, up to 30 minutes, or to desired consistency.
9. STIR in 8 ounces pre-cooked deli shrimp; FOLD in 8 ounces cooked chunked imitation crabmeat carefully without breaking up meat; HEAT then carefully fold again; REMOVE bay leaves.
10. SERVE warm as a chowder, in pre-baked puff pastry shells, over steamed basmati rice, or over toasted English muffins; GARNISH with fresh cilantro or fresh dill sprigs and/or dill weed; ENJOY!