Plant Based Living (main course)

 

Penne A La Vodka

This is one of my favorite dishes.  It’s delicious and easy to make.  Someone recently asked me how I live without eating my favorite foods.  People just assume that I’m making a huge sacrifice because I’m eating a plant based regimen.  I replied “I don’t.  I eat all the same things that you do, I just prepare it differently.”  In my opinion the non dairy version is soooo much creamier.  My husband even loves it.

What you will need:

• Raw cashews (1/2 cup or 60g)
• Organic canned tomato sauce (1 cup)
• Yellow onion (1/4 cup)
• Garlic cloves (3)
• Vodka (1/4 cup)
• Penne
• Peas 
• Basil leaves
• Salt
• Non dairy parmesan cheese (1-2 tbsp)

How to make it:

Soak the cashews in hot water for half an hour and then drain the water.  Combine the sauce, cashews, onion, vodka, and garlic in a high speed blender and blend on high until all the ingredients are blended together stopping occasionally to scrape the sides of the blender.  Put the blended ingredients in a saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally.  Add salt to your preference.  The sauce will thicken as it cooks.  

Cook the penne as per package instructions.  I didn’t specify the amount of penne because that’s a matter of preference.  I personally eat 85g of penne measured while dry.  Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.  Add as much sauce as you like to the pasta.  Add the basil leaves and peas to your liking as well.  Stir it together until it looks awesome.  Put it in a pasta bowl and sprinkle it with the parmesan. 

You can also use the sauce to make pizza a la vodka which is just as delicious!

Prep time: approx 10 minutes, cook time: approx 15 minutes.  Makes 2 cups of sauce.

Bon Appetit!

 

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