Pasta with a Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tbs olive oil (or butter or mixture)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 small shallot, finely diced

• 1/4 cup tomato paste

• 2-3 tbs vodka

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1/2 tsp red pepper  (1/2 tsp for Jennifer, 1 tsp if you like it a bit spicy)

• 2 cups pasta

• 1 tbs butter

• 1/4 cup + 2 tbs parmesan, finely grated

• 2 tbs Fresh Chives or basil to add on top

Directions:

• Cook about 2 cups of pasta in salted water in a separate pot using package instructions. Reserve ¼ cup of pasta water.

• While pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic & shallot and cook until soft (3-4 min).

• Add tomato paste and cook until darker and slightly caramelized.

• Add vodka and stir until evaporated (until you can no longer smell alcohol).

• Stir in heavy cream and chili flakes (more if you like it hotter).

• Stir until combined. Add in salt and pepper, then remove from heat.

• Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta water then drain pasta and transfer to sauce, stirring to coat. Add in the reserved pasta water & butter, stirring to combine.

• Stir in ¼ cup parmesan cheese.

• To serve, top with the remaining parmesan & chopped basil or chives.

Notes:

• Servings = 2

• Prep time = 10 min

• Cook time = 10 min

• Original recipe - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIcc3oPvbUE&t=78s