penne alla vodka
Submitted by admin on January 24, 2010 – 6:27 pm18 Comments
The other day when I saw my friend wrote that she was going to make penne alla vodka, it immediately intrigued me as it was the first time I heard about this pasta dish, apparently this is one of the most popular Italian-American dishes. Without hesitation, I made it the a few days ago and all of us love it. It’s so easy, quick to prepare and yet very delicious. My hubby was feeling skepical and frowned, pasta with vodka. He was very impressed with it and liked it a lot and during dinner, he said several times very nice like haute cuisine. This is a great pasta dish if you want a nice quick fix meal.
Serves 2-3
Ingredients:
- 250g penne
- 1 can whole tomatoes with juice (use pomodoro tomatoes if you can find them, they have the best taste)
- 200g pancetta, cut into very small dices
- 1/2 small sized red onion (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 small leek stem, thinly sliced (1/2 cup)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 100ml vodka
- 100ml full fat cream (or half-fat cream)
- 1 tbsp dried red chili flakes (or more to suit your own taste or skip this if you do not like spiciness)
- handful of fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
- extra virgin olive oil
- pinch of salt to taste (if necessary)
Directions:
- Empty the canned whole tomatoes into a large deep pan, break the tomatoes into smaller pieces with a wooden spatula and simmer at medium low heat.
- In the meantime, heat up another pan, add in the pancetta and pan-fry until they began to become crispy. Remove half of it onto a plate and set aside for garnish at the end. Transfer the other half into the pan of tomato sauce.
- No need to wash the pan, add a little olive oil into the pan and then add in the chopped garlic, stir fry for half a minute and then add in the finely chopped onion, stir fry for about 2 minutes then add in the leek. Pour a little vodka (about 10ml) and sauté at medium high heat until the onion becomes translucent and the leek becomes soft and loosens.
- Transfer the onion, leek and garlic to the tomato sauce. Pour the rest of the vodka into the sauce. Stir to mix. Simmer at medium high heat for 15 mins.
- Then add in the cream and simmer at medium heat for 10 mins or so until you get a thick sauce.
- If you have family members or friends that do not like spicy food, set some sauce aside separately before you add in the dried chili flakes.
- In the meantime, you can cook the penne to al dente in a large pan of salted water according to the instructions on the pack. Drain the pasta when cooked.
- Taste the sauce to see if you need to season with a bit of salt. (I did not need for mine due to the pancetta is already salty)
- Toss the penne into the sauce, add some hand tear some basil leaves. Toss until the penne is all coated and well mixed.
- Finally sprinkle some of the reserved pancetta on top, follow by Parmigiano-Reggiano and basil as garnish. Serve immediately when hot.
Enjoy!
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That is a gorgeous pasta dish! I have to try that one day…
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa´s last blog ..WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #242
What a great pasta recipe. I can taste the vodka, although subtle.
haha, I actually could not tell there was vodka at all : ) your taste buds are more sensitive than mine !
100 ml vodka is quite a lot but next time I make pasta I will definitely try it with vodka.
Ivy´s last blog ..Commandaria, the most ancient Cypriot wine, still in production
Hi Ivy, that’s what I thought at the beginning but it actually evaporates and not child unfriendly!
love the addition of liquor into cooking, this is the first time I come across vodka with penne. gonna try it out one of these days =)
noobcook´s last blog ..Teochew Steamed Fish 潮州式清蒸鱼
Sometimes foodies mock penne alla vodka here in the US, saying it’s an Italian-American restaurant cliche … but can I tell you that it is probably my favorite pasta dish?! I love it and you’ve made it well here. It looks amazing!
Maria ´s last blog ..Foodbuzz 24, 24, 24: Magical Mastiha … a Distinctly Greek Meal
Yummie, this pasta must taste great! Love the combination of the ingredients…vodka? I am sure that most of the alcohol is gone with the heat
Juliana´s last blog ..BAKED PANELA CHEESE
I love the vodka sauce, this is such a gorgeous pasta dish!
Natasha – 5 Star Foodie´s last blog ..Pio Quinto: Nicaraguan Rum Cake
I love penne with vodka in it!! The whole dish looks excellent! MMMM,…
I have made a smilar dish before, but I am going to try your version now, I think!
Greetings from Brussels!!
Sophie´s last blog ..Pork & veal meatballs with white wine, parsley, lemon, lemon zest & bay leaves
That does look very tempting! I will try the recipe!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes´s last blog ..Beetroot Feta Salad
Your pasta looks intriguing and yummy.
We also love to have pasta for lunch. They are easy to make and quick.
Christine@Christine’s Recipes´s last blog ..Baked Drumsticks with Soy Sauce and Honey
I made pasta sauce with beer before. It rocks!
With beer? I have to try that too : )
This would be a nice dish for Valentine’s Day. Looks delicious!
lisaiscooking´s last blog ..Braised Root Vegetables with du Puy Lentils and Red Wine Sauce
Looks gorgeous! I had a bookmarked vodka pasta recipe too! Looks like I have to try it really soon!
pigpigscorner´s last blog ..Hibiscus** [Restaurant Review]
I’ve always been intrigued by the addition of vodka to pasta, normally its just to me
Looks really delicious though so think will have to spare some and make soon 
What a beautiful co -incidence … I’ve made penne too, but with white wine
) Have to try this vodka version.