Vodka Pasta
This was a dish that some friends of ours in Missouri used to make that we loved. We have made it several times ourselves and really enjoy it. Its an easy dish to make and requires some vodka, so you might as well pour a little into the cook as well.
To make this vegetarian, just leave out the ham and double the parmesan cheese.
Yield: 6 Servings
Time: 30 min
Ingredients:
1 med onion finely chopped
½ stick butter
2/3 cup Vodka
¾ cup Canned tomato puree
1 cup Heavy Cream
¼ lb Diced ham (precooked - optional)
2 drop Tabasco
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black pepper
1 lb Penne pasta
¾ cup Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
In large skillet saute onion in butter on low for 5 min. Stir in vodka and let simmer for 4 min. Add tomato puree and cream let simmer until onion soft.
Stir in ham, Tabasco, salt, and pepper and turn down to warm.
Cook pasta al dente, and move to the skillet using a spider to reserve the pasta water. Stir pasta into sauce and add the cheese. Add one ladle of pasta water and stir until cheese disolves. Add more water if pasta looks a little dry.