Vodka {for Dinner}

...sauce, that is. Just last night Con & I had a craving for some pasta & vodka sauce. I was too lazy to find a recipe, so we made one up while drinking martinis. And I must say, it was kinda awesome. Super easy as well. Your friends will be impressed, it's that good.

{our huge portions, that we totally finished}

Pasta with Creamy Vodka Sauce
from Piper & Conor

• 1 lb. Italian sausage {this is already seasoned by the grocer - you can use reg. pork or chicken sausage, but may need to add more seasoning to spice it up a bit!}
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 whole tomatoes, crushed
• 2/3 cup vodka
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• fresh julienned basil
• fresh shredded Parmesan

At some point while cooking sauce, boil water & cook pasta - penne is best...can be set aside in strainer {make sure to run water over to prevent over-cooking} until sauce is ready to be served.

Brown sausage over medium/high heat, add onion & garlic and cook until onion starts to brown & soften.
Add crushed tomatoes & cook down for about one martini {10-15 minutes}.
Add vodka & allow to simmer for another cocktail.
Toss in cream, butter, & salt and continue simmering to desired consistency.
Serve sauce over pasta with fresh Parmesan & basil sprinkled on top.
Enjoy!

{we served our pasta w/New Age wine, a semi-sparkling, light summery white}

While cooking, Conor & I went out on the balcony, had some cocktails, watched a storm blow in, & caught about 10-15 minutes of "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here."

Needless to say, this is a recipe that can be easily ignored while simmering throughout the various steps. Just don't get things too hot, or you'll have a mess on your hands.

{storm's a brewin' at Mutual of Omaha}

The best part of this recipe? You end up with most of a bottle of vodka that you are totally forced to drink later.
♥