Penne with Vodka Sauce

Have ordered this out but had never made it so thought I'd give it a try.  This makes a great side dish with just about any entree, the sauce has a little bite to it and was very easy to make.  As usual I made a few adjustments and combined a few recipes to get the taste I thought I wanted.






Penne with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients:

1/4 c butter
1 med onion chopped fine
1 head of garlic
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4-1/2 tsp dried red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
3/4 c vodka
3 oz tomato paste (the tube style is more intense if you have it use that)
15 oz can tomato sauce
1 cup 1/2 & 1/2  (they called for heavy cream but I always substitute down with dairy)
1/4 c fresh grated Romano cheese
1 lb penne pasta (I used whole grain, extra fiber)

directions:

First slice garlic head off drizzle with olive oil wrap in foil and roast in oven till softened, squeeze out garlic & mash.

Melt butter in medium pan over medium heat, add onion saute till translucent, add rest of ingredients including mashed garlic down to 1/2 & 1/2 and simmer for 10-15 min till flavors meld.  Just before ready to serve stir in 1/2 & 1/2 bring back to temperature then stir in cheese till blended.  Serve over penne, top with additional cheese.

simmering

stir in cream, don't let it boil but bring heat back up

stir in cheese

Enjoy!

Easy sides

I love a farmers market!

Roasting vegetables is my favorite way to eat a cooked vegetable, it really adds a delicious flavor.  Adding some warm goat cheese to a salad makes it seem special and it is so easy to do.  Caprese is a must with all the fresh tomatoes.  Other favorites this time of year Corn on the Cob with Old Bay, Roasted Broccoli drizzled with sesame oil after removing from oven or Cauliflower with some grated cheese.......more to come.
Just a few easy, quick sides.












Caprese Salad
Tomato
Fresh Mozzerella
Basalmic Vinagrette
Basil

Just slice tomato, mozzerella, chopped Basil and drizzle
with Basalmic.

Roasted Asparagus 400° for 20 min.

Mixed greens, carrots, walnuts, with warmed goat cheese.
Just dip the slice of goat cheese in some egg whites then
bread crumbs (I used panko) and saute in a hot pan
 with a drizzle of olive oil.

Roasted green beans, pecans 400° for 20min
and top with fresh Parmesan
after removing from oven.

Herb oven fries 400° for about 30 min.

An old favorite slice your potato and onions, your favorite spices, a little drizzle of olive oil.  You could also do bacon, chives, anything you'd like on a baked potato.  Cover with foil add to your grill or do them in the oven.  When you remove them you can sprinkle on cheese the warm potato will melt it.

Breaded zucchini--healthy style:

Cut zucchini to desired shape, toss in egg whites, then bread crumbs (this is panko)

bake @ 400° on cookie sheet till crisp.  I used foil but clean up wasn't that bad.

This is a common way to do healthy zucchini......just wish it didn't take up so

much room to cook it!