Sicilian Rice Balls

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter

6 tablespoons tomato paste -- diluted with

1/2 cup hot water

1 1/3 cups heavy cream

1/2 cup vodka

1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese = (the real thing) Fine
sea salt -- to taste

2 pounds penne

Melt the butter in a large pot and stir in the tomato paste mixture.  Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and slowly stir in the cream and vodka. 

Stir in the cheese and taste for salt.  Keep the sauce warm while the penne cooks.

Drain the penne, reserve 2 tablespoons of the cooking water and stir into the sauce.

Transfer the penne to the pot with the sauce and reheat.  Transfer mixture to a platter and serve.

This recipe yields 8 servings.

Comments:  Many of you have requested a recipe for Penne with Vodka so here it is.  Why not consider this as a first course on your Thanksgiving menu.

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