CREAMY PENNE ALA VODKA PASTA

Today I'm feeling all quotsy , it's seriously not a word but maybe it's because of all the buzz going on in my head. Harold McGee “The alcohol molecule bears some resemblance to a sugar molecule, and indeed it has a slightly sweet taste. At high concentrations, those typical of distilled spirits and even some strong wines, alcohol is irritating, and produces a pungent, "hot" sensation in the mouth, as well as in the nose. Its chemical compatibility with other aroma compounds means that concentrated alcohol tends to bind aromas in foods and drinks and inhibit their release into the air...” So what am I going on about here? Well there is always a debate going on about using Alcohol in cooking so I just somewhat wanted to put it all into perspective before you start asking, Vodka in Pasta? How Now? There goes your answer, so to put it simply Harold McGee is saying that low concentrations of alcohol enhance flavor and aromas... in food. Enough said, let's get to cookin' Check out this other amazing Pasta Dish.

Ingredients

-1 Cup chopped Red Onions
-4 Tablespoons Butter
-2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
-3 Cups Tomatoes
-1/2 Cup Vodka
-2 Tablespoons Cream
-Salt
-1 Packet Penne Rigate Pasta
-Grated Cheddar Cheese

Method

Bring to boil a pot of salted water and add in the Rigatte Pasta to cook as per package instructions

-Once the water has significantly reduced, you should cook the Pasta to al dente so that it does not become soggy
-Drain the Pasta once it is done, return to the cooking pan and set aside

-Place a Non Stick Pan over a low medium heat, add the Red Onions and Salt
-Saute until soft, about 10 minutes should give the onions that caramelization that we are going for

-Add the 3 Cups of tomatoes and mix

-Let the tomatoes simmer for 15-20 minutes so that they start forming a paste

-Add heavy cream
-Stir the mixture and remove from heat

-Return the cooking Pan with the Pasta to the heat
-Add Vodka, Salt to taste and Butter
-Mix gently until the Butter that you have added melts completely

-Add the Tomato Cream mixture to the Pasta
-Gently toss and turn until all the Penne Rigate Pasta is coated with the Creamy Tomato Mixture
-Sprinkle the Grated Cheddar Cheese or you can choose to use Parmesan Cheese to sprinkle on individualy served dishes

-Serve Immediately

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CREAMY PENNE ALA VODKA PASTA

by Mulunga Alukwe July-5-2017

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Red Onions
• 4 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
• 3 Cups Tomatoes
• 1/2 Cup Vodka
• 2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream
• Pinch Salt
• 1 Packet Rigate Pasta
• 1/4 Cup Cheddar Cheese

Instructions

-Bring to boil a pot of salted water and add in the Rigate Pasta to cook as per package instructions-Drain the Pasta once it is done, return to the cooking pan and set aside-Place a Non Stick Pan over a low medium heat, add the Red Onions and Salt. Saute until soft, about 10 minutes-Add Tomatoes. Let the tomatoes simmer for 15-20 minutes so that they start forming a paste-Add heavy cream. Stir the mixture and remove from heat-Return the cooking Pan with the Pasta to the heat. Add Vodka, Salt to taste and Butter. Mix gently until the Butter that you have added melts completely-Add the Tomato Cream mixture to the Pasta. Gently toss and turn until all the Penne Rigate Pasta is coated with the Creamy Tomato Mixture-Sprinkle the Grated Cheddar Cheese or you can choose to use Parmesan Cheese to sprinkle on individually served dishes

Details

Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 30 mins Total time: 45 mins Yield: 3 Servings