my first, and favorite, sunday gravy

I grew up in an Italian/Irish household, which translates to, we were always eating. My Nana Barb was the glue of our family, you couldn't be mad, sad, or upset around her, she was an absolute light. She treated everyone as if they were her own family, even my friends from my childhood will mention how much she cared for them and made them laugh. I spent a lot of time with her as a kid and I am 100% certain she is the reason I will never say no to ice cream, always have fruit snacks in the house, and feel most content when I am in the kitchen with my closest friends and family.

The woman was notorious for her food, everything from rainbow cookies to homemade pasta to salad dressing, but what everyone knew as her best dish was Pasta alla Vodka. The best part about this pasta is how it tastes the next day, as tradition follows Pasta alla Vodka is to be fried up in a pan with butter the next day...

Ingredients:

• 1 stick of butter

• 1/2 of a yellow onion (chopped)

• red pepper flakes

• 2 16oz cans of D.O.P. crushed tomatoes

• 1/4 cup of vodka

• 1/4 pint of heavy cream

• 1lb penne pasta

1. Melt the stick of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepot at medium heat. When the butter is completely melted, add the chopped onion and sauteé until soft and translucent, then add the red pepper flakes (to your liking) until aromatic.

2. Add both cans of crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for ten minutes, stirring occasionally. The oil at the top of the sauce should be fully incorporated.

3. After the sauce has simmered for 10 minutes add the vodka and let the sauce cook for another 15 minutes on medium heat to burn off the alcohol.

4. Salt the pasta water and bring it to a boil. Cook your pasta as directed on the box. (We use Penne)

5. After the pasta is fully cooked drain the water and put it off to the side. Add the heavy cream to the sauce until the sauce is light pink (this should be a full 1/4 pint of heavy cream, adjust as necessary).

6. Add your pasta to a serving dish and sauce to your liking. I finish off my bowl of pasta with extra sauce, parmesan cheese, and some more red pepper flakes.

Much love,

Mel