Pasta with Vodka Sauce and Sausage

I'm not a big drinker, but I've learned to love to cook and bake with alcohol. I've added chocolate raspberry rum (from the Caribbean) to all kinds of bake goods. I made rum balls for the first time last Christmas. And I'm in love with vodka sauce. It's got such a kick and unique taste. If you like spicy, you'll like this recipe.

Shell pasta with vodka sauce, garnished with Parmesan cheese

Ingredients:
4 servings of pasta, usually about 2 cups depending on the type of pasta. (I prefer penne)
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 spicy sausages (Eric loves the Hillshire Farms Jalapeno and Cheese Sausages) chopped into bite-size pieces
1 medium shallot, minced
2 pinches of red pepper flakes
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (14.9 ounce) of diced tomatoes
3/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
5 basil leaves, torn
Parmesan cheese, garnish

Directions:
Cook pasta according to the package directions, drain, rinse and set aside.

In a deep skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add sausage pieces and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the shallots, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until shallots and garlic turn a golden brown. Add tomatoes and cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring continuously. Pour in vodka and cook until the sauces reduces by half. In a glass, mix the milk and cornstarch together* then stir it into the sauce. Cook until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat. Add basil and pasta. Toss. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

*You can replace the milk and cornstarch mixture with heavy cream. I rarely have heavy cream on hand and found that whole milk and cornstarch work just as well as heavy cream.

Enjoy!

~Krissy

A Simple Parmesan and Garlic Sauce

It's almost time to go grocery shopping and we're down to a box of pasta and a few staples in the pantry. That means it's time to make Parmesan and garlic sauce with pasta. No matter how low on food we're running, we almost always have the ingredients to make this dish. It's a simple, filling, and full of flavor.

Can you guess where we shop?

Ingredients:

2 serving of the pasta of your choice
1 tablespoon margarine
1 tablespoon flour
1 small garlic clove, minced
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup milk
¼ cup Parmesan
Pepper, to taste
Parsley, optional

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions; set aside.

Melt margarine in a sauce pan and add garlic. Sauté for about one minute or until garlic turns a golden brown color. Add flour and cook for about minute while continually stirring. Pour in broth and milk. Bring to a boil, continually stirring so the sauce thickens. Reduce heat. Add Parmesan and stir until cheese is melted. Add parsley and pepper. Pour over pasta and serve. 

Enjoy!

~Krissy