There are many wonderful city and suburban restaurants in our Harrisburg area that will plan special Valentine’s Day dinners.
Restaurants will likely suggest early reservations, as it’s a very popular night out. Special menus may include lobster, crab cakes, steak Diane, osso bucco, and other items to splurge on.
While wishing all our favorite restaurants well on this special February day, how about a little Valentine’s dinner for two at home this year? We should look for something easy because, for many, it’s a “work day” or a “school night,” but it still can be elegant. Perhaps a little table could be set up by the fireplace, with prosecco or champagne on hand for cocktail time.
When I went looking for an appropriate choice for my Valentine meal, I came across a pasta dish that many restaurants do serve. It is not an unusual find on an Italian menu, but the addition of vodka lends it a touch of elegance.
As is the case with many Italian classic dishes, disagreements exist as to the origin of “penne alla vodka.” I did a little research. A chef at Orsini’s restaurant in New York has claimed inventing it in the 1970s, while a restaurant in Bologna, Italy, has made a similar claim. It doesn’t matter, of course, and you, as a home chef, can prepare several variations to make the dish your own.
My recipe is from the Italian classic cookbook, “The Silver Spoon.” Because it contains only a few ingredients, use real butter and cream, good imported pasta, fresh parsley and a high-quality vodka. It really makes a difference. This is a very basic and simple recipe. You can be a little innovative by substituting prosciutto, bacon or pancetta for the cooked ham or even smoked salmon if you like. Many recipes call for a little chopped garlic or onion to be added to the sauce, as well as chopped fresh herbs like chives, basil or oregano. This is one dish you can have fun with.
Penne alla Vodka
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup diced ham (small dice)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste (I use Cento double concentrated)
- 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 5 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons vodka
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Melt the butter in a large, deep-sided pan over low medium heat. (I use an All Clad “Everything Pan.” It is perfect for tossing sauces and pasta together.)
- Add the chopped ham, tomato paste and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and vodka and stir for a few more minutes. (The alcohol will evaporate a little, but the taste and aroma of the spirit will remain.)
- Meanwhile, cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
- Transfer to the pot of warm sauce on the stove and toss gently to incorporate.
- Place in warm bowls and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.
So, back to our Valentine’s Day dinner.
A wonderful accompaniment to this pasta is a crisp, chilled arugula salad. Dress it with a balsamic or lemon vinaigrette. There are lots of recipes out there for homemade salad dressings, and they are easy to make. Shave some Parmesan cheese over the salad or, instead, toss in some Mandarin orange slices. Both of these salads really complement the vodka sauce. Fresh berries, tossed with a little chilled limoncello, is a perfect dessert.
Your ”Valentine,” whomever they might be, will love you for this dinner. No need for roses or chocolate. But don’t forget the “bubbly!”
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