Pasta Wednesday

The past few weeks have been busy with work and The Sun going on vacation.  So, our apologies that this post is now 3 weeks overdo.  


This specific Wednesday, The Wolf had had an hour long meeting right in the middle of cooking time one block up the street from the Wednesday Dinner Kitchen.  In order for The Sun not to be too overwhelmed, we decided to make simple pasta dishes.  Even still, Joshua Bates and The Witch were a big help.
The Menu: rotini with penne vodka and chicken on the side, tortellini with creamy pesto, and salad.  
The Wolf very kindly set up The Sun with two work stations before he left.

                                    

Vodka Sauce

Salt

28 ounce can whole plum tomatoes

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

2 shallots, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ cup vodka

2/3 cup heavy cream

½ cup Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping

Fresh basil leaves, torn, plus more for topping

 

Crush tomatoes with your hands.  Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 3 minutes.  Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook 30 seconds.  Remove from the heat and add vodka, tomatoes, and salt.  

 Return to medium heat and simmer until the alcohol cooks off, about 6 minutes.  Stir in the heavy cream and cook until the sauce thickens.  Stir in the parmesan and basil.  When serving, add more parmesan and basil.  

                                                     The Witch kindly helping

Creamy Basil Pesto Recipe

2 cups fresh basil leaves, packed in

½ cup Parmesan cheese

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

3 medium sized garlic cloves

1/3 cup Ricotta cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Combine the basil and garlic in a food processor.  Pulse.  Slowly add a stream of olive oil into the processor while it is running.  Add the Parmesan and pulse again.  Fold in Ricotta cheese to desired consistency.  Add salt and pepper and serve over pasta.  *Thank you, Joshua Rott, for making delicious pesto for us.

 

For whatever reason, we took no pictures of the food that night.  I'm sure The Bean did and then held them hostage.  Oh, well. 

                                                 Thank you, Bo, for tossing our salad

                                                   Kenny

                                                 Where'd those come from??

                                                   The Bean and The Wolf

      Our special guest, Israel bound Thomas, eating dessert first per his request

                                                  Obligatory Emo Jon Shot

                                                   Joshua Bates and Ferny

*** On a side note, the blog was almost deleted permanently today.  Thank you, Kyle Aaron, for helping us.