Penne Without The Vodka Food

PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions.
• Saute the garlic and onions in 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat until soft. Pour in the vodka, being careful if your stove has an open flame (remove the pan from the heat before adding). Cook and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes, then pour in the tomato puree. Stir the mixture until it's thoroughly combined, then reduce the heat to low. Pour in the heavy cream. Stir to combine, then turn heat to the lowest simmer possible. Sprinkle in the red pepper flakes and add salt and pepper to taste. Finally, stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Pour the drained pasta into the sauce and toss to combine. Sprinkle on the Parmesan, then sprinkle on more red pepper flakes if desired.

PENNE ALLA VODKA (WITHOUT VODKA!)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, add pasta, stir to prevent sticking, and cook for about 2 minutes less than the package suggests -- we will finish cooking the pasta in the sauce
• Meanwhile over medium heat in a large skillet, head 2 tablespoons of olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and crushed garlic (along with a generous pinch of salt) and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent and the garlic is very lightly browned, about five minutes. Add the chilli flakes, if using, and cook for a further minute or two.
• Add the tomato paste and cook for about 2 minutes, or until the paste darkens in colour slightly and becomes sticky, Add a ladle-full of pasta water (about 60ml) to loosen the sauce and deglaze the pan.
• Reduce the heat to low and pour in the cream. Stir until well combined with the tomato paste sauce.
• Drain the pasta, reserving some of the pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Add more pasta water if necessary until the desired sauce consistency is met. Taste a noodle to see if it is cooked thoroughly, then turn off the heat. Add the parmesan cheese and toss to combine.
• Portion the pasta into bowls and garnish with a bit more parmesan and some basil leaves.

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.

PENNE WITH VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta. Empty the tomatoes into a bowl and crush with your hands.
• Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka, tomatoes and salt to taste. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer, stirring often, until the alcohol cooks off, about 7 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parmesan and basil.
• Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season with salt. Serve topped with more parmesan and basil.

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 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.

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

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.