Makeover Creamy Seafood Soup

A wonderfully rich, yet healthy creamed soup. From Taste of Home Healthy Cooking Dec 2008. You won't believe the richness from a lighter soup. I should mention that being from Maryland, I add Old Bay Seasoning and it takes it right over the top!

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb  medium raw shrimp
• 1⁄2 lb bay scallop
• 2  tablespoons butter, divided
• 1  cup celery, thinly sliced
• 1  cup  sweet red pepper, finely chopped
• 1  cup onion, finely chopped
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2  cups half-and-half
• 2  cups nonfat milk
• 1⁄4 cup sherry wine or 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 1  tablespoon fresh thyme or 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2  tablespoons  Old Bay Seasoning (optional)

Directions

1. In a dutch oven, saute shrimp and scallops in 1T of butter until shrimp turn pink. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, saute veggies in remaining butter until tender. Sprinkle with flour; stir until blended. Gradually stir in remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Return seafood to pan; heat through.