PENNE with SMOKED SALMON in a VODKA ROSE SAUCE

  
This is a very quick weeknight dinner.  Smoked salmon, tomato, cream, vodka and pasta. Yum!

INGREDIENTS:


150 grams of smoked salmon, thinly sliced and chopped
2 cups of pureed tomatoes
1 cup of 35% cream
1/4 cup vodka
1 onion minced finely
1 tablespoon of butter
1 tablespoon of olive oil
chili flakes to taste
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup sliced green onions (green part only)
1/4 cup of fresh basil cut into chiffonade
1 tablespoon of freshly grated parmigiano reggiano cheese
1 package of penne rigate, 500 grams


METHOD:

In a large skillet, on medium high heat, warm up the butter and olive oil.  Saute the
minced onion until golden and translucent.  Add the vodka and let it burn off for a   

couple of minutes. Add the tomato puree, bring to a simmer for 5 minutes. Off heat add the cream. Put the pan back on medium heat and bring the sauce to a simmer.  Do not boil.  Lastly stir in the salmon, green onion, basil, parmigiano reggiano cheese, chili flakes (if using), salt and pepper.  Let it simmer for 2 minutes.  Turn off the heat and set aside while you wait for the pasta to be ready.

Cook pasta until it is al dente (with a bit of a bite).  Drain and add to the pan with the sauce and serve immediately.

TIPS:

1. Always under-cook any pasta (approximately 1 minute less than the suggested time), that is going into a warm/hot sauce because it will continue to cook as it absorbs the sauce.
2. The pasta absorbs the sauce quickly. It is best eaten right after you add the pasta to the sauce. However if you prefer a saucier pasta dish, reserve one cup of the sauce and spoon over the already individually plated pasta.
3. You can substitute any pasta shape, and any type of pasta.
4. Always add the cream to the pan off the heat source, otherwise the cream will curdle.
5. This meal can be ready in less than 20 minutes. 
  
SERVING SIZE: Approximately 4 to 6 servings