Joe Gande's Penne alla Vodka

 Tonight's Penne alla Vodka...

I'm currently working on a cook book of my recipes, creations and classic dishes to be released very soon...thought I'd share this with you all as I made it tonight for dinner....

Now for a nice espresso with anisette or sambuca!

Buon Giovedi a tutti!:)

 

Penne alla Vodka 

Ingredients:   

1 35 ounce can of Italian whole peeled plum tomatoes w/ liquid...San Marzano if           available.... 

 1 pound of Penne or Penne Rigatii

 1/4 cup or so of extra virgin olive oil 

 Garlic-5 to 10 cloves peeled 

Crushed hot red pepper flakes-to taste...add as much or little as you like..I like a lot! (Must be the Calabrese in me:) )

1/4 of a cup of vodka... tonight I used Sky Vodka...I usually use Absolue...doesn't matter really...whatever you have on hand or prefer

1/2 cup of heavy cream...or if not available at the time..improvise substituting using milk... 

2 tablespoons or so of butter...a little more to finish sauce at end... 

Chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley...a few tablespoons or so...if you don't have it on hand, just used the dried flakes... 

Fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano...about 1/2 cup or so...more for finishing at the table (If you don't have...improvise and use whatever grated cheese you may have on hand or prefer...parmesan, asiago, romano...etc, etc...) 

Salt 

Bring about 6 quarts of salted water to boil....in a big 8 quart pot... 
Pour the tomatoes into a food processor...pulse...(or if unavailable use a large bowl and stir, crush, mix etc).... 

Stir in the Penne into the water...stir...and bring back to a boil...stir frequently to avoid sticking...cook semi covered for about 8-10 minutes or so (check the box for time..all brands are a little different)... try one to see how it is...You can make them al dente(too the tooth) which is a little hard...but I'm not big on uncooked macaroni....I dig my pasta just right

Heat olive oil in a large skillet....throw in the garlic...cook a few minutes shaking the skillet until it's just turning a bit brown...(Do not Burn!) Throw in the tomatoes...well...don't throw!lol ease them in...they'll splatter a bit...bring it to a boil...season with salt and crushed red pepper...cooking for about 2 minutes or so.... 
Pour in vodka...lower heat to simmer until the pasta is ready.... 

Just before the pasta is done...get the garlic cloves out of the sauce (save for later snack)... 
Pour in the cream or milk...add the butter and a little more olive oil....swirl the skillet or swirl with a spoon to incorporate into the sauce... 
If your skillet is large enough...drain the pasta(or simply fish it out of the water with a skimmer) and add it right into the sauce in the skillet ...if the skillet is not large enough...drain the pasta and put it back in it's pot and add the sauce to it... 
Bring the sauce and pasta together to a low boil...stirring to coat all the penne.... 
Check the taste for seasoning...add salt and red pepper flakes if needed... 
Sprinkle in the parsley...simmer for a few minutes... 
Remove from heat...sprinkle in the cheese....and toss to mix... 
Serve and enjoy... 
Have additional cheese and red pepper on hand at the table if you'd like...to finish...to each person's taste... 

Thank you for reading...I hope you enjoy this recipe...as I mentioned above...I am currently working on a cookbook to be released for sale asap! It will probably be a downloadable E-Book to start...

Mangia bene a tutti!:)

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