Pasta alla Vodka

Pasta alla Vodka is one of my favorite dishes my mom makes! Vodka really isn’t an Italian ingredient so it’s interesting to find out how the sauce was invented. According to foodtimeline.org, vodka sauce became popular in the 70s and 80s. Some believe the sauce originated in the homeland of Italy while others believe it originated in the states. Many stories have indicated that the dish was originally called Penne alla Russia because of the un-Italian ingredient of vodka. Although there are several stories out there as to who was the original creator of the sauce, many towns have created their own version to pass down for many generations.

Like many Italian children, I think my mom’s cooking is the best! Here is her delicious and simple recipe for Pasta alla Vodka.

½ of an onion

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 can crushed tomatoes

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 bay leaf

½ cup vodka or to taste

1 cup heavy whipping cream

½ lb. bow tie pasta (can sub for Rigatoni or Penne)

½ cup grated parmesan.

Chop onion and poor into a saucepan with olive oil. Sautee onions on medium heat until golden brown. Add and stir crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper and bay leaf. Add vodka to the sauce and occasionally stir for a half hour on medium to low heat.

In a separate pot bring four cups of water to a boil. Add pasta and stir occasionally until it is fully cooked but not overly soft…“al dente.” Drain pasta.

Add heavy whipping cream to the sauce while stirring, bringing it to a boil. Add sauce to pasta along with parmesan cheese.

Serve and enjoy!

Food Timeline: Food History & Vintage Recipes. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. <http://foodtimeline.org>.