Easy Healthy Recipes

Penne Vodka Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

Penne Vodka Directions:

This recipe will make enough for 2 couples. If you plan a romantic evening where more than two’s a crowd, reserve half the sauce to freeze for another supper before the addition of basil, and only cook 1/2 to 2/3 pound of penne.

1. Heat a large skillet over moderate heat.
2. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots.
3. Gently saute shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness.
4. Add vodka to the pan, 3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup.
5. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes.
6. Add chicken stock, tomatoes.
7. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it).
10. While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.
11. Stir cream into sauce.
12. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat.
13. Drain pasta.
14. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves.
15. Pass pasta with crusty bread.