Terrible Name, Tasty Dish

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by Marianne 1 Comment

Easy, quick, pantry-friendly, and perfect for a weeknight. Oh, it’s reeeeeally delicious and makes great leftovers. What more could you ask for?

As for the name, it’s the  awful “You Won’t Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta.” I can’t attest to its mate-snaring properties but it is a lovely weeknight pasta dish that seems a bit more special than the same ole, same ole Wednesday spaghetti.  As promised, it also comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Penne alla Vodka (because I refuse to use that horrible name!)
Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray

• 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 or vegetable 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

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute 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).

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

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