Monday, March 30, 2009

Penna a la Vodka and Honey Garlic Sausage and Peppers

I didn't have to cook supper this Sunday! Marilyn and Ann provided the food and Marlyn hosted. It was a nice break, since the last two weeks it has been challenging doing it all on my own (especially the clean-up!)

I thought I would post a couple of recipes I have made in the last few weeks that turned out well. Unfortunately, I have no photos, but next time I make either, I will take some!

Penne a la Vodka
Source: http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/01/penne_alla_vodk.html (with a few modifications/additions)

Ingredients:
  • 1 box of penne
  • 1 can of crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 c. vodka
  • 10 cloves of garlic, peeled and whole
  • red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 c. heavy cream
  • grated parm cheese
  • chopped parsley

Optional:

  • chicken
  • Shrimp
  • peppers
  • onion

**Timing is everything with this recipe. It is best if you have everything all chopped and ready to go, measured out, because things happen quickly!

1. Put water onto boil for pasta. Saute and chicken and veggies you will use as water is boiling. Set aside.

2. Put penne in water. Coat pan in olive oil (probably about 1/4 c.) and drop in 10 garlic cloves. Brown them.

3. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste. Boil for 2 mins.

4. Add the vodka and lower heat. Simmer until pasta is ready.

5. Add cream and swirl in.

6. Pick the garlic cloves out of the sauce, unless you like to eat whole cloves, but I would not recommend this! Drain the pasta.

6. In the pasta pot, combine pasta, sauce, veggies/chicken, fresh parsley and about 3/4 c. parm cheese. Continuously stir over low heat until pasta has absorbed sauce.

Comments: This was delicious and looked restaurant quality. I would definitely add chicken or shrimp and some veggies though, otherwise it is quite plain. Do not skimp on the fresh parsley either, it really makes the dish! Good leftovers too.

Honey Garlic Sausage and Peppers
Source: allrecipes

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 c. oil
  • 1/4 c. dijon mustard (or any dark spicy mustard)
  • 1/3 c. honey
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 cloves crushed garlic
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • brown rice

Optional:

  • honey garlic sausage (or any spicy sausage)
  • chicken
  • shrimp
  • peppers (green and red)
  • onion
  • mushrooms
  • shredded carrots
  • chopped celery

1. Put brown rice on to cook.

2. While rice is cooking, brown meat (any one of or combination of the proteins above are great!), add veggies and sauce. Saute until veggies are desired consistency.

3. Serve over rice.

Comments: This is more a sauce recipe and you can add any protein or veggies that you want. the first time I made it, I stuck with the classic sausage, peppers and onion mix. Since then, I have branched out and added different proteings and veggies. Last Friday, I used all three proteins, shredded carrots, mushrooms, a chopped pepper, onion and celery. It was still yummy!

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