Penne alla Vodka

A very fashionable dish in the early 1980’s, Penne alla Vodka has made a comeback of late. This pasta dish uses very simple ingredients - crushed tomatoes, garlic, onion, basil, vodka (yes. there is really vodka in this dish!) and heavy cream. The sauce is then topped with freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese. The vodka acts as an emulsifier, allowing the sauce to stay together and not break when served. It’s the perfect comfort food for a cold winter evening!

Louis DeBenedetto