by SallyCan
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my 22 recipes »
A&M's Testing Notes:
Expand CollapseSallyCan's Notes:
Expand1/3 c olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient
1/4 lb pancetta or bacon or country ham, finely minced Ask a question about this ingredient
1 large onion, very finely minced (about 1 1/2c) Ask a question about this ingredient
2 large red peppers, seeded, membranes removed, and very finely minced Ask a question about this ingredient
6 plum tomatoes, very finely minced Ask a question about this ingredient
4 cloves garlic, very finely minced, ½ tsp reserved for shrimp Ask a question about this ingredient
½ c vodka Ask a question about this ingredient
Water, as needed Ask a question about this ingredient
1 pinch red pepper flakes Ask a question about this ingredient
3 T butter, softened Ask a question about this ingredient
2 T fresh oregano, minced Ask a question about this ingredient
2 lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined Ask a question about this ingredient
1 T butter Ask a question about this ingredient
1 T olive oil Ask a question about this ingredient
4 Italian or Chicken with Basil sausage links Ask a question about this ingredient
1/2 lb Pasta (spaghetti, penne, whatever you like-remember I’m not Italian) Ask a question about this ingredient
Grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, optional Ask a question about this ingredient
Get your pasta started: cook in hot water as per package directions, when cooked, drain and keep warm.
Ask a question about this stepPrick your sausages with a fork and cook in skillet on stove or grill them. When cooked, slice.
Ask a question about this stepIn a medium saucepan with a lid, warm olive oil and add pancetta or bacon. Cook, stirring, on medium for a minute, then add onion. Cook on medium until onion is softened, but not browned.
Ask a question about this stepAdd red peppers and plum tomatoes. Turn heat to low and cook, covered, for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a tablespoon or two of water if it starts to become dry.
Ask a question about this stepAdd vodka, garlic (reserving ½ tsp for shrimp), and red pepper flakes. Turn heat to medium, cook for a minute or two, stirring.
Ask a question about this stepCover, return heat to low, and cook on low for another 30 minutes or so, stirring occasionally and adding small amounts of water if needed. You want it to be somewhere between soupy and dry.
Ask a question about this stepRemove lid, with a fork whisk in softened butter, and season with salt & pepper to taste.
Ask a question about this stepDon’t cook the shrimp until just before you’re ready to serve. In clean skillet heat 1T butter and 1T olive oil on med high. Add shrimp, turn heat to high and cook for a minute, add garlic, cook for another minute or two, on both sides, until just cooked.
Ask a question about this stepTo serve, toss warm cooked pasta with sauce. Place sliced sausage and shrimp on top, and garnish with oregano. If you’re not Italian, feel free to serve with cheese.
Ask a question about this stepWell...vodka has a way of mellowing things out! It kind of softens and evens the flavors, bringing them down a bit, without adding extra acid or flavors, as a wine would do (which was used in the original tortellini recipe). Do try it in a fresh tomato sauce; it's really fascinating how vodka changes it. Flavored vodkas ~like lemon~ can add interest, but for this recipe I like a plain vodka, since there is so much else going on. It needen't be super expensive vodka, either~I'd save that for a drink :)
Yaaaaay, Sally! Love the recipe, love the photo and I REALLY love the story behind this one. I can imagine the conversation you describe. Is that lovely sausage some that you made? ;o)
Thanks! The lovely sausage was some made by my dear husband :)
Rick Field is the founder of the pickle company Rick's Picks.
Okay, here's another question. Why do you add vodka? I've heard of people adding vodka to tomato sauces, but have never tried it. (In fact, I think I even saw a jar of some sauce with vodka in a store once.) What does it do? Is there any particular kind of vodka one should use? Thank you. ;o)