Tomorrow, February 14th is Valentine’s Day!  A day to celebrate love with your significant other.  But you know not everyone has a significant other and some are still looking for love. 

Rachel Ray (www.foodnetwork.com) has an easy recipe if you are trying to impress someone with your cooking skills and it works no matter if you are looking for love or celebrating your 50th anniversary.  In addition to the ingredients for the recipe you may want to pick up a bag of salad and some bread from the bakery for a complete meal.  Don’t forget the dessert!  

You Won’t Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp.  butter

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 shallots, minced

1 c. Vodka

1 c. chicken stock

1 can (32 oz.) crushed tomatoes 

½ c. heavy cream

20 leaves fresh basil, torn or shredded

Salt and pepper

1 lb. pasta such as penne rigate

Heat a large skillet over moderate heat.  Add the extra virgin olive oil, butter, garlic and shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness.  Add the vodka to the pan – three turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup.

Reduce vodka by half, by cooking 2 to 3 minutes. Add chicken stock and the tomatoes. 

Bring the sauce to a bubble and reduce the heat to simmer. Season with salt and pepper. While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in salted boiling water until it’s cooked to al dente (with a bite to it).  While the pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes.

Once the vodka is reduced stir the cream into the sauce. When the sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from the heat. Drain the pasta. Toss the hot pasta with the sauce and the basil leaves. Serve with crusty bread.