Fresh Tomato Basil Penne Alla Vodka Food

FRESH TOMATO BASIL PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. Add in a dash of salt, then add in the pasta and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until al dente. Reserve a 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the penne and place into a bowl until needed.
• In the meantime, heat oil in a 12" skillet or large saucepan over medium-heat. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Then stir in the salt, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and sugar, and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Add in the tomatoes and stir to coat. Cook the tomatoes, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes burst and release their juices to form a sauce, about 10 t0 12 minutes. If any tomatoes don't burst, lightly press on the with a spoon to help them along.
• Remove pan from heat, and stir in the vodka. Then stir in the heavy cream. Return to stovetop and stir in the basil.
• Toss pasta with with tomato sauce and let simmer for 2 minutes. Then remove from heat and serve warm, with freshly grated parmesan cheese.

PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Puree half of tomatoes in food processor until smooth.
• Dice remaining tomatoes into 1/2" pieces, discarding cores.
• Combine pureed and diced tomatoes in liquid measuring cup (you should have about 1 2/3 cups).
• Add reserved liquid to equal 2 cups.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until shimmering.
• Add onion and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are light golden around edges, about 3 minutes.
• Add garlic and pepper flakes; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir in tomatoes and 1/2 tsp salt.
• Remove pan from heat and add vodka.
• Return pan to medium-high heat and simmer briskly until alcohol flavor is cooked off, 8-10 minutes; stir frequently and lower heat to medium if simmering becomes too vigorous.
• Stir in cream and cook until hot, about 1 minute.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat.
• Add 1 TBS salt and pasta.
• Cook until just shy of al dente, then drain pasta, reserving 1/4 cup cooking water, and transfer pasta back to Dutch oven.
• Add sauce to pasta and toss over medium heat until pasta absorbs some of the sauce, 1-2 minutes, adding reserved cooking water if sauce is too thick.
• Stir in basil and adjust seasoning with salt.
• Divide among pasta bowls and serve immediately, passing Parmesan separately.
• For Penne Alla Vodka With Pancetta:.
• Heat 1 TBS olive oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat, add 3 oz thinly sliced pancetta, cut into 1/2" pieces (about 1/2 cup)and cook until crisp, 6-8 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to small bowl and set aside. Pour off all but 2 TBS fat from pan and continue with recipe for Penne alla Vodka, using fat in pan instead of oil in step 5, reducing salt to a pinch in step 8, and adding reserved pancetta to sauce along with basil in step 16.

ROASTED TOMATO PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Halve the tomatoes lengthwise and arrange them cut-side up on wire racks set over rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with the thyme, salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are slumped but still moist in the center, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Heat 2 tablespoons EVOO in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until very soft but not caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vodka and cook until reduced by half. Add the chicken stock and roasted tomatoes and heat through. Stir in the mascarpone, then puree into a fairly smooth, creamy sauce using an immersion blender, food processor or blender. Return the sauce to the pot, add the basil and stir until wilted.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, and season with salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
• Toss the pasta with the sauce and transfer to a glass or ceramic baking dish. Top with the mozzarella and parmesan. If you are making the pasta ahead of time, cool it and then cover with parchment and foil. Store in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to serve, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake the casserole, covered, until heated through, about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until brown and bubbly on top, 15 to 20 more minutes.
• Cook's Note: Serve with a salad of escarole or romaine dressed with lemon juice, EVOO, salt and pepper.

PENNE RUSSO A LA VODKA WITH BASIL CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling lightly salted water for about 8-10 minutes or until al dente and then drain.
• Heat oil in large skillet or wok over medium heat.
• Saute garlic, prosciutto, and red pepper flakes for 1 minute.
• Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste and cook for 3 minutes.
• Stir in vodka and cream and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Stir in Parmesan and chopped basil.
• Add pasta and toss until evenly coated.
• Serve with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.