Low Fat Penne A La Vodka Recipes

HEALTHY PENNE ALLA VODKA

Steps:

• In a medium pot or dutch oven, heat olive oil and butter on medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook uncovered for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent. Stir in dried oregano, dried basil, and red chili flakes and cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in vodka and simmer for about 7 minutes until the alcohol cooks off. While the vodka cooks, add tomatoes to a blender with salt and pepper, then puree for 1-2 minutes. Add pureed tomatoes to the pot and stir. Cook covered on low heat for 30 minutes.
• While the sauce is cooking, bring 5 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the penne to the water and stir occasionally. Cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and set aside.
• Once the sauce is cooked, stir in 1/4 cup of Parmigiano-Reggiano and Greek yogurt until it becomes creamy and pink. Add salt and pepper to taste and half of the basil. Add the pasta to the sauce and gently stir to combine.
• Serve in bowls and sprinkle additional basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano or parmesan cheese on each serving.

FABULOUS PENNE A LA VODKA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan; when hot, saute the onions until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes to the saucepan.
• Stir in the oregano, basil, salt and pepper and simmer 1 hour to concentrate flavors.
• While the sauce is cooking, heat 4 T of the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Saute the mushrooms and hot pepper flakes until the mushrooms are golden.
• Carefully add the vodka and simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol.
• Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer; pour the cream mixture into the tomato puree; stir to mix. Keep the sauce warm while cooking the pasta.
• Add the kosher salt to 6 quarts of water. Bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta to boiling water; cook uncovered until pasta is al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain well.
• Melt the remaining 4 T of butter in a large skillet. Stir in pasta to glaze, then add Parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Stir in 1/3 or the sauce and mix with the pasta; divide among plates. Top each plate with some additional sauce; pass remaining sauce and additional cheese at the table.

LOW FAT PENNE A LA VODKA

Steps:

• Heat 2 teaspoons of oil over medium to medium high heat in a large saucepan. Saute onion until starting to brown, about 5-6 minutes.
• Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low to medium low heat for 10 minutes.
• During this time, heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Saute the mushrooms and hot pepper flakes about 5 minutes. Reserve pan.
• Add tomato paste to tomato sauce and mix well. Stir in vodka and mushrooms and simmer for 10 more minutes.
• Start water to boil for pasta.
• Add milk to sauce and incorporate well. Cook another 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Keep sauce at a low simmer while cooking pasta.
• Cook whole wheat pasta until al dente, about 15 minutes. Drain pasta.
• Heat 1/2 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet (you can use the same pan you cooked the mushrooms in). Add pasta and stir to glaze. Add parmesan cheese and mix thoroughly. Stir in sauce. Garnish with basil, and serve.

LIGHTENED-UP PENNE A LA VODKA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water.
• Whisk the yogurt with the cream in a measuring cup and set aside.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatoes and vodka. Return the skillet to medium heat, bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the alcohol cooks off and the sauce comes together and thickens, about 7 minutes. Stir in the yogurt-cream mixture and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.
• Add the pasta, Parmesan, parsley and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet and toss to combine. Use the reserved pasta water to thin the sauce as needed.