Royal Seafood Casserole

6 cups water
1 1/2 pounds unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp
1/2 (7 ounce) package vermicelli or thin spaghetti
1/3 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup chicken broth
2/3 cup whipping cream
3/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
2 1/2 tablespoons dry sherry
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 (4 ounce) jar diced pimento, drained
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons slivered almonds
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Bring water to a boil; add shrimp, and cook 3 to 5 minutes. Drain well; rinse shrimp with cold water. Peel and devein shrimp; set aside. Cook vermicelli according to package directions; drain well, and set aside.

Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add broth and cream; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly.

Add Swiss cheese, sherry, salt and pepper, stirring until cheese melts. Remove from heat; add shrimp, vermicelli and pimento, stirring gently. Spoon mixture into a lightly greased 2-quart casserole.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and almonds.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Broil 6 inches from heat 6 minutes or until lightly browned. Garnish with parsley about 1 inch around the edge.