Penne a la Vodka!

Spicy, smokey, and creamy…this pasta dish features pepper flakes, pancetta and tomato purée with vodka cream… ’nuf said!

Prep time: 1 hour

Serves: 6-8

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Ingredients 10-12 fresh ripe Plum or Roma tomatoes

1 fresh clove garlic

1 small onion (or scallion if preferred)

4-5 thick slices of Pancetta (1/8 inch thick)

Pinch of red pepper flakes

1 cup heavy cream

½ cup unflavored Vodka

1 package penne pasta (1 pound)

Salt and pepper to taste

½ cup shaved parmesan

Cook’s note: Canned tomatoes can be used to make purée or a store bought puree can be substituted for fresh tomatoes. 6 cups of tomato purée is needed.

Step 1 – Prepare Tomato Purée Score tops and bottoms of each tomato in a criss- cross motion

Boil tomatoes in a large pot for about 20 minutes, until tender to the prick of a fork and skins are turning away where you’ve scored them

Allow tomatoes to cool then remove skins from tomatoes. Also remove any tough ends and yellow or stringy parts of tomato (seeds are ok)

Put prepared tomatoes and garlic clove into a blender, blend until smooth

Set aside the puree while you prepare the Pancetta

Step 2 – Mince and Brown the Pancetta

In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, blend the onion and pancetta until finely minced

Put mixture into a large, heavy, hot sauté pan and cook over med heat until browned. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes

Add tomato purée to the browned pancetta and onion mixture, simmer (partially covered) for 30 minutes

Add vodka and pepper flakes and allow to simmer for another 10 minutes

Step 3 – Boil Penne and Finish Sauce

Boil pasta in large pot of boiling water until it’s al dente (8-9 minutes), drain and return to pot to keep it warm. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to avoid sticking

After vodka has been in sauce for 10 minutes, add heavy cream slowly while stirring. Incorporate well and stir until sauce begins to simmer again.

Add pasta to pan and drag it through the sauce to cover pasta completely

Serve immediately with shaved parmesan on top

For more great recipesvisit

www.TheBrownLounge.com

Penne a la Vodka!

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