Vodka Penne with Sexy Salmon
The Tease
I can't express how delicious this dish is. Make sure you get decent canned tomatoes with basil.
Time To Cook:
• Novice cook: 35-40 minutes
• Experienced cook: 20-25 minutes
Factoid
Vodka is a colorless liquid containing ethanol purified by distillation from a fermented substance such as grain, potatoes, molasses, beets, and a variety of other plants. Rye and wheat are the classic grains for vodka. Its roots are Eastern European.
Ingredients
• 2 cups penne pasta
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes with basil - get canned from your market
• 1/2 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup red onion, small dice – get a medium onion
• 3/4 red pepper, small dice – use a large pepper
• 3/4 pound salmon fillet, cut into one inch, bite-size pieces
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup basil, minced
Equipment
• medium stock pot for the pasta
• large skillet for the sauce
• medium, non-stick pan to sauté the fish
Preparation (Do it!)
1) Fill a stock pot 2/3 full with water, add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta until it offers slight resistance when bitten into, but isn’t overly soft or overcooked. (This is known as “al dente.”) Drain the cooking water and return the pasta to the stock pot. Do not rinse your pasta with water.
2) Place your non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and add a tablespoon of butter.
3) When the butter is melted, add the minced onion and peppers and cook until translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Stir occasionally and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4) Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
5) Add the tomato sauce slowly, so it won’t splatter and bring to a simmer for 3-4 minutes.
6) Add the vodka and continue cooking until the liquid is reduced by 1/4.
7) While the sauce is reducing, add the olive oil to your other non-stick skillet and heat on medium high.
8) Add the salmon and cook for 2 minutes on one side and 1 minute on the other side. Season with salt and pepper. Reserve on plate with paper towel.
9) Add the cream to the tomato sauce and let it thicken for 3-4 minutes.
10) Add the salmon, Parmesan and basil and cook for 1 minute.
11) Toss the pasta with the sauce, serve in a bowl and top with basil leaves.
Source: http://www.culinaryseductions.com/