Well… I made it to the other side! In fact, it’s been two weeks since I made the somewhat painful (just me and two pets… fun!) – but uneventful – drive from North Carolina to Missouri, where I’m staying temporarily with my parents until my hubby joins me (t-minus six days and counting!) and we find a place to live in Arkansas. Although things are still a bit strained as we wait for life to return to some semblance of normalcy, they are good nonetheless. I’m definitely patting myself on the back for at least thinking ahead enough to pre-plan a couple of posts to get me through the hairiest parts of the transition. I don’t know how inspiring fast food from a sack is. 
Anyway…
Tomorrow will be the first opportunity to spend Father’s Day with my dad that I’ve had in five years. And… he has to work. Figures. So, undeterred, we celebrated tonight instead. Any reason to cook a great meal, right?
This is a great dish that comes off as being much more fussy than it actually is. Paired with some crusty bread, a salad, and a glass (or three) of wine, and I can see where the original name might have come from.
Happy Fathers Day to all you dads out there! Enjoy!
Penne a la Vodka with Shrimp
(adapted from Rachael Ray’s You Won’t Be Single for Long Vodka Cream Pasta)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup vodka
1 cup chicken stock
1 32 ounce can diced tomatoes (crushed works great, too)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Coarse salt and pepper
16 ounces penne rigate
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, and garlic. Gently saute garlic for 3 to 5 minutes. Add vodka to the pan, and simmer to reduce vodka by about half – 2 or 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer. Season with red pepper flakes and salt and pepper.
While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it).
Stir cream into sauce. Add shrimp. When sauce returns to a bubble, cook until shrimp are just done and remove from heat. Drain pasta. Toss hot pasta with sauce, basil, and cheese.
10 responses so far ↓
grace // June 15, 2008 at 8:17 am |
i’m glad you got to spend an early father’s day with your pop–looks like some good eats!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) // June 15, 2008 at 9:44 am |
My grandmother used to call what you’re going through “betwixt and between”, and that’s a hard place to spend any amount of time. Nice that you’re with your parents — I’m sure your dad loved this penne for Father’s Day.
gretchen // June 15, 2008 at 8:00 pm |
Looks tasty! And, the pics have some nice, natural lighting …
I LOVE the fresh basil too.
Kate // June 16, 2008 at 1:20 am |
Vodka sauce is one of my favorites!
nina // June 16, 2008 at 11:29 am |
I know my father would have bee happy with just a bowl of this(me too). Instead we went out to lunch. Maybe, I will just create a father’s day for him sometime.
Elle // June 16, 2008 at 1:12 pm |
I’ll bet your dad loved this! I know I would, it looks fantastic!
RecipeGirl // June 18, 2008 at 10:22 am |
RR’s cheesy names for dishes bug me. Your title is MUCH better! But I would definitely try this one (if not for my diet.) We love pasta with creamy sort of decadent sauces.
What an exciting venture you’re in the midst of!
farida // June 19, 2008 at 1:47 pm |
Cute name for pasta:) Must be very delicious, quite a la vodka:)
Deborah // June 20, 2008 at 4:52 pm |
I’ve seen quite a few people do this recipe of RRs, but I don’t think anyone else added shrimp. Sounds delicious!
Deb // June 21, 2008 at 3:15 pm |
Pasta looks great and am glad to hear that you are safely making it to your new home!