Penne alla Vodka

Penne alla Vodka (Serves 4)

The guanciale is purely optional - I only added it in because it was expiring soon.

Ingredients:

300g penne pasta

2 tsp minced garlic

1 white onion, diced

300g tomato paste

3 tsp chilli flakes

100ml vodka

300ml cooking cream

3 tbsp unsalted butter

100g grated parmesan

Chopped parsley

Instructions:

1) Boil the pasta, but stop at least 1 minute before the full cooking time. Set aside around 0.25 cup of pasta water.

2) Add the diced onion into a skillet over medium heat. After a minute or two, add the minced garlic in continue to cook for another minute or so.

3) Add in the tomato paste and chilli flakes, then mix well for another 3 minutes.

4) Add the vodka. Let it sizzle and evaporate, which should take around 1 minute.

5) Pour the cooking cream in and mix until smooth. 

6) Add the pasta water and grated cheese, and mix well. Add some salt to taste.

7) Now add the pasta in, together with the unsalted butter. Mix well. 

8) Garnish with some parsley, and serve.