Baked Seafood Au Gratin

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 medium-size green pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup butter or margarine, divided
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 pound lump crab meat
• 4 cups water
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound scallops
• 1/2 pound flounder fillets
• 3 cups hot milk
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Dash of pepper
• Dash of hot sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Sauté onion and green pepper in 1/2 cup butter in a heavy skillet until tender. Stir in 1/2 cup flour; cook over medium heat 10 minutes, stirring often. Add crab meat; stir well. Press mixture into bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9- x 2-inch baking dish. Set aside.
2. Place water in a large Dutch oven; bring to a boil. Add shrimp, scallops, and flounder; cook 3 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Set seafood aside.
3. Melt remaining butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add remaining flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and reserved cooking liquid; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in Cheddar cheese, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Add shrimp, scallops, and flounder; stir lightly.
4. Spoon seafood mixture over crab meat mixture; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve immediately.