142.0…Vodka Sauce

I am really loving my Food Network Magazine. I dog-ear pages that have recipes I want to try. After reading the entire magazine, most pages are marked. I saw a recipe for Vodka Sauce that looked easy and I had all the ingredients on hand. I’m glad I tried it….it was delicious!!!

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Vodka Sauce (serves 4)

Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine

Printable Recipe

  • Kosher salt
  • 12 ounces pasta of your choice (I used fettuccine)
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
  • Handful of fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for topping

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water just in case you want to thin the pasta, then drain the pasta.

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the vodka, tomatoes and salt to taste. Return the skillet to medium heat and simmer, stirring often, until the alcohol cooks off, about 7 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Stir in the parmesan and basil.

Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to combine, adding some of the reserved cooking water to loosen, if needed. Season with salt. Serve topped with more parmesan and basil.

I served the pasta with a big mixed green salad. A perfect meal!

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This morning I was up bright and early to meet Team in Training for our Saturday run. I fueled up with toast and peanut butter:

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Today’s run was the same as last week: 5 miles but the only difference was…it was in the rain.

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Check out the rain drops on my Garmin and the goose bumps on my arm. :)

Mile 1 – 11:30

Mile 2 – 10:30

Mile 3 – 10:31

Mile 4 – 10:47

Mile 5 – 10:31

Afterwards I grabbed a water and a bagel and headed home to shower and get packed for our family trip to Palm Springs.  We stopped along the way for lunch at a pizza place. Salad bar:

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And pizza!

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I went back for seconds of both salad and pizza. We arrived at our hotel and I immediately broke out the vino. 

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Ahhhhh yeah. I have a massage schedule soon so I must be signing off. Have a great rest of your weekend!

 Do you have Monday off or do you have to work?

Comments

  1. So jealous of your trip to Palm Springs AND a massage ...you're a lucky woman! Hope you have fun!

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  2. Hope you have a great time! That recipe looks good, I'm going to try it! I meant to post on your comfort food feast, all that food looked amazing! I actually have monday off by a fluke! I'm gonna take it!! :-)

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  3. Enjoy your weekend girl! =) You're a running machine! whoohooo! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

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  4. One thing we don't have in common is a love for alcohol. I just never liked the taste, except for sweet fru fru type drinks. Bring on the White Russians and Pina Coladas--lol! Anyway, I'm about to go buy some vodka to make my own Kahlua (I use it a lot in baking--it's my favorite liqueur) and if I have any extra, I want to try this sauce. I've heard a lot about it but never tried it. Sounds so good! As for Monday, I will be working! I work for the Post Office, but in a unit (a remote encoding center where data entry is done) that doesn't close for any holiday. Boooo!

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  5. p.s. go you for running 5 miles in the cold rain! You're so hard core. :)

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