Penne a la Vodka

Penne a la Vodka is a dish made with vodka and penne pasta, usually made with heavy cream, crushed tomatoes, onions and sometimes sausage, pancetta or peas.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup minced onion
• 1 cup minced celery
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter
• 1/2 pound minced prosciutto
• 3/4 cup vodka
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons each fresh, chopped basil and parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and cayenne pepper
• 1 cup Half-and-Half
• 1 pound penne, cooked al dente

Instructions

1. Sauté celery, onion and garlic in oil and butter for about 5 minutes.
2. Add prosciutto and vodka and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes longer.
3. Add tomatoes, basil, parsley, oregano and pepper. Cook 10 more minutes.
4. Add Half-and-Half and cook 5 minutes longer.
5. Toss in cooked pasta and heat through for 5 minutes.