Lighter Penne à La Vodka Bethenny Frankel Food

LIGHTENED-UP PENNE A LA VODKA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Whisk the yogurt with the cream in a measuring cup and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and vodka. Return the skillet to medium heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the alcohol cooks off and the sauce comes together and thickens, about 7 minutes. Stir in the yogurt-cream mixture and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta, Parmesan, parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet and toss to combine. Use the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.

ONE-POT PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring to coat the onions, about 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes, penne, vodka, 1 teaspoon salt and 3 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce has reduced by about half and thickened, about 12 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the heavy cream, half the Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Divide the penne among 4 bowls and garnish with the remaining Parmesan and torn basil leaves.

LIGHTER PENNE à LA VODKA - BETHENNY FRANKEL

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add salt when simmering.
• Warm marinara in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly add milk, stirring until combined. Bring to a simmer, then lower heat; simmer until sauce reduces slightly. Add crushed red pepper.
• Add penne to boiling water. Cook until almost done; add vodka to marinara mixture, and raise heat slightly. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water.
• In a large bowl, toss pasta with sauce and Parmigiano-Reggiano, adding some reserved water to thin sauce, if needed. Garnish with parsley, and serve.

FABULOUS PENNE A LA VODKA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan; when hot, saute the onions until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes to the saucepan.
• Stir in the oregano, basil, salt and pepper and simmer 1 hour to concentrate flavors.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat 4 T of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the mushrooms and hot pepper flakes until the mushrooms are golden.
• Carefully add the vodka and simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
• Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer; pour the cream mixture into the tomato puree; stir to mix. Keep the sauce warm while cooking the pasta.
• Add the kosher salt to 6 quarts of water. Bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta to boiling water; cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
• Melt the remaining 4 T of butter in a large skillet. Stir in pasta to glaze, then add Parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Stir in 1/3 or the sauce and mix with the pasta; divide among plates. Top each plate with some additional sauce; pass remaining sauce and additional cheese at the table.