PASTA WITH VODKA SAUCE AND SHRIMP RECIPE

Pasta with Vodka Sauce and Shrimp Recipe image

Provided by á-2510

Number Of Ingredients 16

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Ingredients

1 small to medium onion
EVOO
4 tablespoons butter
3 large cloves garlic
Salt
1 teaspoon Calabrian chili paste OR 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 cup vodka
1 can (28 ounces) Italian crushed tomatoes
A few leaves of basil, torn, plus a few to serve
1 pound penne rigate pasta
1 pound large raw shrimp, deveined and tails removed
1 lemon
1/4 cup Pernod or white vermouth
A handful flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
A handful freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus some to pass at table, optional ( -- and controversial to some Italians)

Steps:

Place a large pot of water on the stove for pasta. Also put up a deep skillet for sauce and a nonstick skillet for shrimp. Gather your ingredients. Peel and finely chop the onion. In a large deep skillet, heat EVOO, a turn of the pan. Add 2 tablespoons butter and when it foams add the onions. Stir to soften while you peel and chop the garlic. Add 2 cloves of chopped garlic to onions and season with salt. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of chili paste or about 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Add vodka and reduce by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and tear in a few leaves of basil. Reduce heat and simmer sauce, 10 minutes. Season pasta water with a fat tablespoon of salt, add penne and cook 1 minute less than package directions, about 8 minutes. Have a mug or measuring cup on hand. Add shrimp to a medium bowl and toss with remaining garlic. Thinly slice a lemon and toss with shrimp. In the second skillet, heat EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high and melt in 2 tablespoons butter. Add the shrimp mixture and toss 2 to 3 minutes; shrimp should be pink and opaque. Add a splash of Pernod or vermouth, the remaining red pepper flakes, a little salt and parsley; toss. Turn off heat. Add cream to sauce and stir. Add shrimp to sauce, bring back to a bubble and turn off heat. Reserve about 1/2 cup of starchy salty water and drain pasta or transfer to sauce with a spider. Toss pasta with sauce and grated cheese, using water to loosen as necessary. Transfer pasta to large serving bowl or to individual shallow bowls to serve.