You Won't Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta

Yum-O! Rachael Ray strikes gold with this delicious pasta date-night meal that is guaranteed to make your taste buds smile. A Leon-Favorite.

Ingredients

Coarse Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste

• 12 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
• 1 tbsp EVOO ("once around the pan")
• 1 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed organic tomatoes
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 20 leaves of fresh basil shredded or torn

Cook pasta to directions. Al dente.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add EVOO, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently sautee. 3 to 5 minutes, to develop their sweetness. Add vodka and cook to reduce by half (very important step!), 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken broth and tomatoes. Bring sauce to a bubble. Reduce heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir cream into the vodka sauce. When sauce returns to a bubble, remove from heat. Toss with hot pasta and basil. Serve immediately with crusty bread for "mopping" the sauce! Yum-O!