Penne alla Vodka

Serves 4

30 minutes

Ingredients

Pasta 400g, penne or rigatoni works well

Onion 1

Garlic 2 cloves

Tinned tomatoes 400g

Tomato puree 1/2 tube

Vodka 60ml

Basil 2 stems of leaves

Chilli flakes 1 tsp

Double cream 180ml

Parmesan 50g

Method

1. Dice the onion up small and slow fry in a large pen until translucent.

2. Crush in the garlic and fry for another 2 minutes.

3. Pour in the tin of tomatoes and the puree and stir well. Add the chilli flakes and basil.

4. Pour over the vodka and bring to the boil to cook off the alcohol. Then turn down to a simmer and keep reducing on a low heat, stirring every so often to prevent the base from sticking.

5. When the sauce has reduced (around 30 minutes) remove the basil and pour the rest into a blender. Blitz the sauce until smooth, then pour back into the pan.

6. Put a pan of salted water on to boil and add the pasta.

7. Pour the cream into the tomato sauce and stir well, then stir through the grated parmesan. Season to taste.

8. Drain the pasta keeping a bit of the pasta water to the side which you can add to the sauce if you feel it is now too thick.

9. Pour the pasta into the sauce and toss around.

10. Serve with more fresh basil leaves, and a grating of parmesan.

11. Eat and enjoy!!