Tomato 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.

VODKA-INFUSED CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Using a skewer, poke a few holes in each tomato. In a container, combine tomatoes and vodka. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days., Pour tomatoes and vodka into a shallow serving dish. Serve tomatoes with toothpicks; if desired, combine sea salt and pepper in a small bowl for dipping.

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.

CAN OF TOMATO PASTE VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat; season the water generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 12 minutes (depending on the pasta shape). Reserve 1 cup of cooking water in a liquid measuring cup, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in another large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic has softened, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste has turned a deep brick red and is starting to caramelize on the bottom and sides of the pot, about 6 minutes. Pour in the vodka and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot, then cook until the vodka is almost completely absorbed and the alcohol has cooked off, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low, then stir in the heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water until smooth and combined.
• Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan and butter to the sauce and stir to evenly combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt. Adjust the consistency of the sauce, adding 1 tablespoon of cooking water at a time, until it nicely coats the pasta (it should be creamy, glossy and saucy). Serve in shallow bowls with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and thinly sliced fresh basil.

TOMATO INFUSED VODKA COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Add 6 of the tomatoes and the basil, lime wheels and hot sauce to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add ice and 6 ounces of the tomato-infused vodka and shake vigorously. Strain into 2 highball glasses filled with ice. Garnish the glasses with the lime wedges and remaining cherry tomatoes. Enjoy!
• For the tomato infused vodka: To a pitcher, add the tomatoes, vodka and bay leaf. Tightly cover and place in a cool dry place to infuse for at least 1 week. Give it a shake once a day.

PASTA ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan or casserole dish. Add the shallot and a large pinch of salt and gently fry over a low heat for 10 mins or until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for 30 seconds. Stir through the tomato purée, cook for 2 mins, then stir through the vodka and cook for 3 mins. Quickly stir through the cream to combine, then remove from the heat.
• Cook the pasta in salted water following pack instructions. Drain and reserve 150ml cooking water. Add roughly 50ml of the water to the tomato sauce, then tip in the pasta and cheese, tossing everything together over a low heat until well coated and glossy (loosen with a splash more of the cooking water if it's a little dry). Season to taste, then serve with a sprinkling of the extra parmesan, a good grinding of black pepper and the basil leaves scattered over the top.

VODKA TOMATOES

Steps:

• After you have cut a small cross in the bottom of each tomato place them side by side, cut side down, in a shallow dish salt the tomatoes, just a little.
• Sprinkle the garlic over the tomatoes.
• Pour in enough vodka so it is well above the cut crosses.
• The longer you leave them the more Vodka they will absorb but leave them at least 24 hours at room temperature, then you can refrigerate them.
• Serve with salt.

TOMATO-VODKA SOUP

Steps:

• In a skillet, saute onions and garlic in olive oil and butter over medium high heat for 1 minute In a slow cooker, add vegetable broth, tomatoes, tomato sauce, vodka, salt and sugar. Then add the sauteed onions and garlic. Cover and cook on high heat for 5 hours.
• Puree the soup in batches, then stir in half-and-half.
• Cover and cook for an addition 20 minute on low heat setting.