Pasta, Pasta, Pasta. I never get tired of a nice plate of pasta!! Tonight my daughter, Melissa, is coming over with her family, so I am going to make one of her favorite sauces...VODKA SAUCE!! She is very busy taking care of three babies, all under the age of five, so she deserves a treat on a Sunday afternoon. It is such a quick and easy sauce, so I can spend more time playing with my grandchildren then in the kitchen. A quick salad and a loaf of garlic bread to go along with this dish and you are done. It's sooo good!!
VODKA SAUCE 1 LARGE ONION DICED 6 TBLSP BUTTER 6 CLOVES OF GARLIC SLICED 2 CANS CRUSHED TOMATO 1 SMALL CAN DICED TOMATO 1/2 CUP VODKA 1/4 CUP HEAVY CREAM 1 CAN PEAS (OPTIONAL) SALT & PEPPER In saucepan, saute one large chopped onion in butter. When tender add the sliced garlic. I like mine very thinly sliced. One of my favorite kitchen tools ever is the Pampered Chef Garlic Slicer. It is an amazing gadget that I would never want to live without. You put the cloves of garlic in and twist...and every single time you get the most beautiful perfectly thin garlic slices. Every house should have one!!
Add salt & pepper to season while cooking and saute till both onions and garlic are soft and tender.
Now...VODKA!! Who doesn't like a little vodka in their pasta? Pour it in. Let in simmer and reduce about 5 minutes or about by half.
When reduced you can add the two cans of crushed tomatoes an one small can of diced tomatoes. San Marzanos are amazing but, when not available, Contadina seems to be my favorite runner up. Finally, add the heavy cream and the can of peas. You can leave the peas out if you prefer, but we love them added to this sauce. Let this come to a very soft simmer and cook for about about an hour.
This is a very quick cooking sauce. I usually remove the lid for the last 15 to 20 minutes. It will also thicken nicely as it cools. Top it with some fresh grated parmesan cheese....amazing!! Enjoy...we sure did!! My babies love love love it!!!