Shelly's Recipe

PENNE ALLA BETTOLAPENNE WITH SPICY TOMATO-CREAM SAUCE

Category: Noodles / Pasta

2 medium sized cloves garlic, peeled
5 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 lbs ripe, fresh tomatoes; or 1 1/2 pounds canned tomatoes, preferably Italian imported, drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp hot red pepper flakes
1 lb dried penne
15 large sprigs Italian parsley, leaves only
2 tbsp vodka
1 cup heavy cream
Coarse-grained salt

Coarsely chop the garlic on a board. Heat the oil in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and when the oil is warm add the chopped garlic and sauté for 3 minutes.

If using fresh tomatoes, cut them into 1 inch pieces. Add fresh or canned tomatoes to pan and cook for 20 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and then add the red pepper flakes. Pass the contents of the pan through a food mill, using the disc with the smallest holes, into a large skillet.

Bring a large pot of cold eater to a boil. Meanwhile, place the skillet over low heat and simmer sauce as you cook the pasta. Add coarse salt to the boiling water, then add the pasta and cook for 8 to 11 minutes depending on the brand that it is. 1 minute less than for normal al dente.

Meanwhile, coarsely chop the parsley on a board. Drain the pasta and add it to the skillet with the tomato sauce. Add the alcohol or vodka, mix very well, and raise the heat to medium. Saute for 1 minute, stirring the pasta vigorously with a wooden spoon. Add the cream; taste for salt and pepper. Mix for 30 seconds to allow the cream to get well absorbed into the pasta, then sprinkle on the parsley, transfer pasta to a warmed serving dish, and serve immediately.