How to Make Vodka Sauce

Talk about versatility! What can't you do with vodka? Right from a variety of cocktails (which is what it is best used for) to sauces... vodka can be used as an ingredient in foods like you wouldn't imagine! One recipe you can indulge in is vodka sauce. It pairs well when cooked with pasta, chicken or even ham. For those of you who absolutely love your vodka, some scrumptious options that will definitely get you tempted are Pasta with Vodka Sauce (penne/ fusilli/ cavatappi/ tortellini), Chicken Sausage Rigatoni in a Spicy Vodka Sauce, Chicken and Linguine in Creamy Vodka Sauce, Grilled Salmon Steak with Vodka and Orange Juice. But before we move on to any such recipe, let's first learn the recipe.

Vodka Sauce

An easy recipe for a vodka sauce you can try your hand at.

Ingredients

• Olive oil: cup
• Vodka: cup
• Heavy cream: 1 pint
• Whole peeled tomatoes: 1 large can
• Butter: 1 tsp
• Chopped onions: cup
• Fresh parsley: cup
• Minced garlic cloves: 2
• Salt & pepper to taste

Method: Start with putting the oil, butter, onions and garlic in a sauce pan. Maintaining a medium flame, saut until onions are clear. The next step is to add the vodka, tomatoes and parsley, as well as slowly mixing the cream into the pan. Finally, add the salt and pepper to taste. This is also the time to add the pasta along with some Parmesan cheese, if you please! (Unless you're looking to use the sauce differently). Lastly, dig in!!

Just in case you are looking to change the body of the above mentioned, and you do want to make the vodka sauce thicker, allow it to simmer until it reaches the desired consistency. Simmering the sauce is a sure way to thicken it.

Vodka Sauce from Marinara

If the previous recipe was too plain for you, you could also try your hand at a basic vodka marinara sauce. Here you go.

Ingredients

• Marinara Sauce: 1 jar
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Vodka: cup
• Half-and-half cream: cup
• Chopped onions: cup
• Garlic (minced): 2 tsp
• Chopped basil: cup
• Salt & red pepper flakes to taste
• Parmesan cheese: 2 tbsp
• Cooked pasta: 1 pound

Method: Start by putting in a reasonable amount of red pepper flakes in the vodka and keep it aside. Next, heat the oil in a saucepan and add the onions to the oil, and cook until pink. This should be roughly 4 to 5 minutes of cooking them. Once done, toss in the garlic and salt while cooking it for yet another minute. Add the vodka, red pepper mix. Make sure you cook on high heat until the vodka has almost evaporated. At this point, add the marinara sauce and let it simmer for at least 5 minutes. Next you add the cream, basil, Parmesan, and heat it well. Toss the final product into a bowl with hot pasta. Enjoy the divinity!!

Now that you're fairly familiar, you could treat yourself with yet another recipe involving vodka sauce.

Chicken Sausage Rigatoni in a Spicy Vodka Sauce

Ingredients

• Vodka: cup
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Heavy cream: 1 cup
• Butter: 1 tbsp
• Chicken Sausage (without casing): 1 pound
• Rigatoni:1 pound
• Whole tomatoes with basil: 1 can
• Chopped onions: cup
• Finely chopped garlic cloves: 3
• Roughly chopped green pepper: cup
• Chopped jalapeno: 1
• Hot paprika: 1 tsp
• Italian seasoning:1 tsp
• Grated Asiago cheese: 1 cup
• Freshly chopped parsley: 3 tbsp
• Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste

Method: Begin by boiling pasta, and set it aside. Make sure the pasta is just perfect and not too soft or over boiled. Next, in a large saucepan, melt butter along with the oil. This should be done on medium heat. Following that, add the chicken sausages and brown them for a few minutes. Also, break them up into moderately large chunks (or whatever you find most suitable). Throw in the jalapenos and garlic and saut for roughly 5 minutes. Continue by adding the green pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook for another 3 minutes.
Once you're done with the above mentioned, move on to adding tomatoes to the sauce and allow it to simmer for at least 10 minutes. Add the vodka and cream and cook for a few more minutes. Toss in the cheese and parsley. Mix this sauce with the pasta until it is well coated. Use the salt and pepper to season the food and ENJOY!!

I hope all the given recipes satiate your taste buds and that you no longer have to deal with the same old boring recipes. So what are you waiting for? Go, dig in, and have a feast!!