I first learnt about this Rachael Ray dish on Oprah and I won’t lie, as a single girl, the name roped me right in A dish that practically guarantees a proposal? Where can I sign up?! Sadly I have not had a chance to try it on any prospective suitors but after making it for my family I got many sated mumbles and murmurs. Puzzled, as the recipe itself is pretty simple and basic I realized that the key to its supposed success has to be that sneaky vodka. I am not convinced that it actually cooks off, if you know what I mean hehehe…

“You Won’t Be Single For Long” Vodka Cream Pasta
Recipe by Rachael Ray
Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 shallots, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup vegetable stock
1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
Coarse salt and pepper
16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
1/2 cup heavy cream
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat a large skillet over moderate heat.
2. Add oil, butter, garlic and shallots.
3. Gently sauté shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness.
4. Add vodka to the pan (3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup).
5. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes.
6. Add vegetable stock, tomatoes.
7. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it).
10. While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.
11. Stir cream into sauce.
12. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat.
13. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves.
24. Pass pasta with crusty bread.

About Sarina

Passionate foodie, founder of Trinigourmet and Caribbean Lifestyle Maven. Author of "Glam By Request: 30+ Easy Caribbean Recipes"