Tortiglione Alla Vodka

Earlier, I promised that one thing I would make this year that I haven't before was Penne alla Vodka. I was sent a recipe by Ivonne, a reader of this blog (and with her own delicious blog here) and I tried it a while ago. Oh. My. God. It was amazing, and I will make it many more times!

My bloody strep throat is sadly still going strong, and I'm just a whisper away from losing my voice altogether. Sigh. The antibiotics better start kicking in soon!

Tortiglione Alla Vodka

Serves 2

1 tbsp olive oil
chili pepper flakes
50 g of bacon, finely chopped
4 tbsp tomato paste dissolved in 250 ml of warm water
4 tbsp vodka
1 tbsp brandy
100 ml heavy cream
two small handfuls of shredded parmesan cheese
tortiglione pasta (or penne, or other short, stubby, ridged pasta) for 2
salt

Put a large pot of water to boil. Once it comes to the boil, add salt and stir. Then add your pasta and cook to package directions.

Heat the olive oil in a large pan (large enough to fit all your pasta).Add chili flakes and bacon, and fry until bacon is a little bit crispy. Add your tomato paste/water mix, and bring it to a boil. Add your booze, vodka and brandy, and bring to a boil again. Lower to medium, and add the cream. Add salt if you want to. Add half of the parmesan, stir well. Add the pasta, stir to cover with sauce, add the rest of the cheese, stir - and serve.

Tortiglione alla vodka