Penne in Vodka Cream Sauce

 

 

 

 

I have a confession to make. 

 

I.made.a.Rachael.Ray.recipe.for.dinner.last.night.

 

Her “You Won’t Be Single for Long Vodka Cream Pasta” to be exact.

 

Yeah, I know….why does she have to call it that? It’s so annoying! Supposedly, a fan wrote to her saying that a second helping of this recipe is what prompted her boyfriend to propose…hmmm….good job Rach! Anyways, I digress. It was Sunday night, I had a splitting headache (darn allergies) and I needed nourishment. I was also cooking dinner for Mom and Dad and well, let me put it to you this way, several years ago we a hit a fork in the road of culinary tastes and we went our separate ways. BUT, they’ve eaten this dish before so I knew they definitely liked it. Also, it’s just really easy to make. 

 

A good dinner was had by all, as was evidenced by the fact that my parents started eating without me!

 

So here it is. Courtesy of Oprah’s website, word for word!

 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 shallots, minced

• 1 cup vodka

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)

• Coarse salt and pepper

• 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

 

Serve with:

• Crusty bread, for passing

 

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic and shallots. Gently sauté shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. Add vodka to the pan (3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup). Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock, tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it). While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Stir cream into sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

 

 

 

P.S. If I was ever fated to meet Anthony Bourdain this probably killed any chance I ever had……sigh.