recipes

Penne alla Vodka

From Episode 4 of Catherine's Roman Holiday, this delicious recipe was discovered by enterprising Russians looking to boost sales of their vodka in Italy.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil, extra virgin
• 1 ½ red chilli, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 4 tbsp water
• 4 tbsp vodka
• 250ml double cream
• 75g freshly grated parmesan
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 300g penne

Method

1. Cook pasta according to the package instructions.
2. Add the olive oil to a large frying pan, big enough to also hold the cooked pasta.
3. Add the chilli, sauté for 1 to 2 minutes and add tomato puree and the 4 tsp of water.
4. Simmer over low heat for 1-2 minutes stirring frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent it from sticking to the pan and burning. If need be, add more water.
5. Add the cream to the tomato mixture, stirring. Add the vodka and simmer for about 3 minutes more.
6. Drain pasta and transfer to pan with sauce, then add the parmesan cheese.
7. Mix thoroughly, taste for seasoning and transfer to a warm bowl.