Penne alla Vodka

Meatless Monday? Need a quick dish to cook after a long day at the beach? Tired of paying ten plus dollars to order a dish that’s so simple to make yourself. Fret not. Here it is. It’s the simplest of recipes, it’s a keeper for your recipe collection. Have a bit of pasta! I chose the mini penne in this recipe, just because they’re cute…..

What you’ll need:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 shallot, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp vodka
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 cup pasta cooking water
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 pound penne
  • 2 oz parmesan cheese, grated or shaved
  • fresh basil for garnish

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato paste and cook another 5 minutes, while still stirring occasionally. Add vodka and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring continuously.

Add cream and red pepper flakes and stir continuously until well blended. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add pasta and combine, then add parmesan and combine. Serve hot and immediately, garnish with basil leaves.

Bon Appétit!

Author: Gotham Foodie

Hello there, fellow foodies! My name is Erica, I was born and raised in Germany, and moved to the US, New York City to be exact, in July of 1987. I have worked most of my time here in the Big Apple as a bartender, but my true love is food. I cook just about every day, I search for good food everywhere, and pretty much always find it. I don't consider myself a food critic, I don't have the culinary background for that kind of expertise. I do however know good food, good chefs and good restaurants. I report back about my culinary adventures, and I choose to leave out my unsatisfactory experiences. We have enough negativity in our daily lives, I don't want to add to that. All the recipes in my FROM MY KITCHEN and DOTW blogs are cooked and prepared by me. All pictures are taken by me. I don't always eat everything you see in my pictures, but you bet your buns, I do try everything. Last but not least, you should know that I am a huge Top Chef fan. I have never missed an episode of the Bravo TV show. I have at this point visited almost 20 restaurants run by Top Chef contestants, and I'm continuously impressed by their skill, drive and passion. So I will continue to seek them out, and I hope you join me in my journey!

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