Penne Alla Vodka

Penne Alla Vodka

If you decide to make this tonight to impress someone or yourself (highly recommended)!

This is a classic Italian recipe but there is argument that it has American - Italian roots so who knows?! Although I'm sure some of you will have your thoughts on the matter. Either way, I first had it back when I was working at a restaurant as a waitress before I was a chef at a place called Pucci Pizza. I loved the creaminess of this dish. I know the vodka adds a smooth texture but, who am I kidding, there's double cream in here, so go figure. It's not low fat but it is a delicious treat and worth it!

Ingredients:

Vegetarian
Serves a greedy 2

220g penne pasta
4 tbsp olive oil
1 banana shallot, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
200ml tomato purée
1/2-1 tsp dried chilli flakes (to taste)
60ml vodka (I used @blackcowvodka )
150ml double cream
50-70ml starchy pasta water
70g @granapadano , grated
1 tbsp butter
salt and pepper

Set a large saucepan of water to boil and salt the water. Set another large saucepan to a medium to high heat and add 2 spoons of olive oil followed by the shallot.

Fry for 3 mins before adding in the garlic. Cook for 1 min. Then, turn down the heat and add the purée and chilli flakes to cook gently for 4mins. Pour in the vodka and simmer for 2 mins to allow the alcohol to cook off.

At this point start cooking the penne to the packets instructions. Towards the end of cooking, fish out around 70ml of the pasta water. Add a good splash in with the double cream to warm it up before pouring the cream into the sauce. Simmer for 1 min and then add the grated cheese and store through.

Next drain the cooked pasta straight into the sauce along with the butter and toss everything together.
Season and serve straight away!