Penne Alla Vodka Without Vodka Food

PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• In a wide pot big enough to hold all the pasta and sauce, melt the butter.
• add the garlic and cook until golden brown.
• stir in the proscuitto and cook for a a minute or two.
• add the tomatoes, crushed pepper, pepper and salt.
• simmer for 5 minutes.
• stir in the cream and cook for 2 minutes stirring alot.
• add the vodka and cook until it no longer smells strongly of vodka (about 3-5 minutes).
• cook the pasta as directed on box but al dente.
• add the pasta to the pot with the sauce and mix until it is all coated over the pasta.
• toss with the cheese and serve immediately.

PENNE ALLA NO VODKA

Steps:

• In one pot boil water for pasta.
• In a heavy pot melt the butter.
• Add the garlic and cook until golden brown.
• Add the tomatoes, crushed pepper, onion powder, basil, Italian seasoning, pepper and salt.
• Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Cook the pasta as directed.
• Stir in the cream and cook for 2 minutes stirring alot.
• Add the pasta to the pot with the sauce and mix until it is all coated over the pasta.
• Serve immediately with freshly grated cheese.

PENNE WITHOUT THE VODKA

Steps:

• In a large, deep saucepan over medium heat, warm 2 to 4 tablespoons of the oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened.
• Add the plum tomatoes, tomato sauce, grape juice, sugar, and salt. Using an immersion blender, purée the sauce as it cooks.
• Add the heavy cream and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Place the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the bottom of a large pasta serving bowl. Add some of the pasta to the bowl and the a few ladles of the sauce. Continue layering the pasta and sauce into the bowl until all has been transferred to the serving bowl. Using tongs or 2 large forks, integrate the sauce into the pasta. Taste and season further with the salt. Continue to toss until well combined.
• Top with the mozzarella cheese and garnish with the basil. Season with the red pepper flakes and serve hot.

SKINNY PENNE ALLA VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, puree half the canned tomatoes until smooth. Chop the remaining tomatoes into ½ inch pieces, discarding the cores.
• In a large saucepan over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions and tomato paste and cook until the onions are light golden, about 2 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and cook for about 30 seconds.
• Stir in the pureed and chopped tomatoes and add the salt. Remove pan from heat and mix in the vodka. Return the pan to medium heat and simmer, stirring often, until the alcohol flavor is cooked off, about 8 minutes. Lower the heat if the simmering becomes too vigorous. Stir in the milk and cook about 1 minute more until hot.
• In the meantime, in a large pot, cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Make sure to cook al dente, not over cooked. Drain.
• Return the drained pasta to the pot, add the cooked sauce, and mix until combined. Cook over medium heat until the pasta absorbs some of the sauce.
• Plate each serving and top with 1 tablespoon of cheese and a little basil.

NO CREAM-NO CRY PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions, about 9 minutes; drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, bring the marinara sauce and crushed red pepper to a simmer in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the sauce, stirring it occasionally with a heat-resistant rubber spatula, until it is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove the sauté pan from the heat.
• Stir about 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce into the yogurt until smooth (this tempers it and prevents the yogurt from curdling). Then whisk the yogurt mixture back into the marinara sauce.
• In a large serving bowl, toss the sauce with the drained penne and the basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the cheese on top, and serve.
• Whole-wheat pasta has a dense texture that makes it a little tougher than regular pasta. Some people like that chewiness; some don't. If you're in the latter category, overcook it a bit. Toward the end of the cooking time, keep testing it until it's as tender as you like it.
• Fat: 60g (before), 4.8g (after)
• Calories: 618 (before), 320 (after)
• Protein: 18g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Cholesterol: 11mg
• Fiber: 6g
• Sodium: 416mg