I don’t know about you but this week calls for some real comfort food. And what’s better than a delicious bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka
Fun fact: Despite being from Europe I had never even heard of vodka sauce before my first ever visit to New Jersey!
Vodka actually helps intensify the flavors (despite being pretty flavor neutral), balances out the acid but also the sweetness of tomatoes and the cashew cream, and overall helps to achieve a creamier sauce. Don’t want to use vodka? Skip it or add a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon water. It’s still a tasty, creamy tomato sauce!
Delicious bowl of creamy Pasta alla Vodka
Ingredients:
- 1 16 oz (~500 g) package of pasta
- 1 cup cashews, soaked with hot water easier blending
- 1/3 cup tomato paste*
- 1/2 cup vodka
- 14 oz (400 g) canned tomatoes, crushed or chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2-3 shallots or 1 small sweet onion
- 3 large garlic cloves
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (more to taste)
- 1 tsp raw cane sugar (or other sweetener of choice)
- 2 cups of pasta water
- A handful of fresh basil
- 1/4 cup vegan parmesan (optional)
Method:
- Soak cashews with hot water for 30 minutes, then drain. If you have a high powered blender like the Vitamix you can omit this step.
- Cook pasta al dente in salted water, and reserve 2 cups of pasta water before draining.
- Finely mince shallot and garlic, and sauté both with olive oil until fragrant. Add tomato paste, and stir for a minute, then add vodka, canned tomatoes, sugar, and chili flakes.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 8-10 minutes.
- Blend soaked cashews with 1 cup of pasta water until very smooth.
- Stir cashew cream into your tomato sauce, simmer for a couple more minutes, then add hot pasta and vegan parmesan if using.
- If needed add more of the pasta water.
- Top with fresh basil, and enjoy!
All credit to the right owner Alex
Alex 🌱 Fun and Tasty Recipes via instagram (plantbased.traveler). If you like this recipe go check her on instagram for more amazing recipes, she needs our support to keep making new recipes. Make sure you share the recipe with your friends as well.
