Sharing The Love

Oh how I've missed posting on my blog!  I'm enjoying the summer and the slower pace of life it brings.  Our garden is producing like crazy and we harvested our first 4 blackberries (out of hundreds!) last night.  Honestly, I don't think you can beat Yakima in the summer (or the spring, or the fall, or the winter for that matter - I guess I love it here!).  The other thing Yakima seems to be producing alot of lately is babies, at least in our church!  This post is about the meal that is quickly becoming one of my standard "new arrival" meals to the family.  We love it and it's easy, transportable and FULL of delicious flavor.  I found it, thanks to my "Darling" friend Regina, in a Rachael Ray cookbook.  Regina marked this one with a note, as she did all her favorites.  I know I would have loved it anyway but there is something emotional and special about making recipes that are shared favorites with someone you love.  So now I make this to share my love with others around me.  It just feels so right.

Share the love with your family tonight!

Pasta in Vodka Cream Sauce  
**Adapted from in "Classic Rachael Ray 30 minute meals - The All Occasion Cookbook"
Ingredients:
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 box of your favorite pasta - I typically use whole wheat penne or elbows
1 Tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 shallot, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken broth
1 can (28 ounces) of crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup cream (you can use heavy cream, half and half, or even milk in a pinch - I've used them all)
20 leaves of fresh basil, torn
1-2 chicken breasts - baked (if desired - This can make the meal a bit heartier if you need meat.  We enjoy it both ways.)

Method:
Boil water in a large pot over high heat.  When water comes to boil add salt and pasta.  Cook according to length on package directions.
While pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium head.  Add the olive oil, butter, garlic and shallots.  Saute for 3-5 minutes.  Add vodka and cook to reduce by half.  This usually takes at least 3-5 minutes.  You'll see that it's not as liquidy in the pan and the strong smell of alcohol no longer threatens to choke you as you stand over the pan.  This is a really important step.  If you don't let it reduce enough your sauce will NOT taste good. 
Once vodka is reduced, add the childen broth and tomatoes.  Allow the sauce to begin to bubble, then reduce the heat and simmer.
Season with salt and pepper.
Stir in cream and return sauce to a bubble. 

This sauce is sooooo yummy!

Once the sauce bubbles, remove it from the heat and toll in the hot pasta, chicken (if desired) and torn basil leaves.  Serve immediately with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese if desired!



Click here for printable recipe.