Seafood paella with a creamy twist

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Ingredients 2 cups of white rice 1 cup of frozen peas 500g frozen seafood mix 300g frozen mussels 1 chopped onion Handful of mixed, diced bell peppers 200g spring onion and chives flavored cream cheese 2 star anise pods 1 tablespoon smoked/normal paprika 1 tablespoon dried basil 1 bundle bouquet garni 2 chicken stock cubes 2 small cubes of butter 1 teaspoon of minced garlic 1 tablespoon spice for rice or turmeric 500 ml water Cooking oil Salt to taste Quartered lemons and limes (for garnish) Microherbs (for garnish)

Method 1. Cook rice as per normal, add spice for rice or turmeric, a pinch of salt and set aside. 2. In a cast iron pan or wok, pour some cooking oil. Add onions, garlic and peppers and fry on high heat til nicely browned. Turn the heat down to medium and add the seafood mix and mussels. 3. Add the star anise, paprika, bouquet garni, chicken stock cubes and water to the cooking seafood and allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. 4. While the seafood simmers, put frozen peas in a microwavable dish and add butter cubes. Cook peas in the microwave on high heat for about 3 minutes. Set peas aside. 5. When you see that the seafood is nicely cooked, add cooked rice and peas over it and mix well. Remember to remove the bouquet garni bundle and star anise before mixing. For a final creamy touch, add the cream cheese and dried basil to mixture. 6. The dish is best enjoyed hot, garnish with lemons, limes and microherbs.