Cajun Seafood Pasta

Cajun Seafood Pasta

(serves 6-8 people)

(credit to Allrecipes.com with serious adjustments)

INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup heavy whipping cream

* 1 cup milk

* 1 clove garlic, minced

Herbs (these can be adjusted to taste, specifically the crushed and ground red pepper):

* 1 teaspoon basil

* 1/4 teaspoon thyme

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

* 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

* 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

* 1 teaspoon garlic powder

* 1 tablespoon parsley

* 1/2 cup chopped green onions

* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

* 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese (I buy the sliced kind and tear into pieces)

* 1/2 pound precooked shrimp, thawed and chopped into small pieces

* 1/2 pound crab (I use imitation crab)

* your choice of pasta

DIRECTIONS

1. Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente.

2. Meanwhile, pour cream and milk into large skillet. Add garlic clove. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until just about boiling. Reduce heat, and add herbs. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Turn heat to LOW***.  Add Parmesan, whisk until mixed in.  Add Swiss, whisk until cheese is all melted (you'll have kind of a goopy mess in the center of the pan).  Once the cheese is melted, turn heat back up to medium.  Allow sauce to boil lightly, whisk occasionally to mix the cheese in.  

4. Once the sauce is a creamy consistency, add in the shrimp & crab.  Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat.  

5. Drain pasta. Serve sauce over noodles.

(***If you don't let the sauce cool down enough before you put the Swiss cheese it, it tends to curdle.  If it happens, don't worry--it will still taste just as good, but will have a kind of grainy texture.  I wait a couple of minutes after I see the last of the bubbling stop before I put it