Sauces - Aunt Julie's Vodka Sauce (from Andrea Marsello)

Aunt Julie’s Vodka Sauce

We found this to be absolutely delicious as has everyone to whom I’ve served it.  Aunt Julie used half & half when she made it for us.  I’ll bet that you can use pancetta (Italian bacon) in place of the regular bacon.

1/2 lb diced bacon
1 med onion, chopped
1 stick butter
1/2 c vodka
2 cans crushed tomatoes
1 pint half & half OR heavy cream
Salt & Pepper to taste
Approx 1 handful Parmesan or Romano cheese

Put bacon in pan and begin browning while chopping onion.
Add onion and butter; sauté w/bacon until onion is translucent.
Add vodka and tomatoes.
Season w/salt and pepper.
Add the cream; simmer and stir often.
Add the Parmesan/Romano during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Cook penne; by the time the penne is finished cooking, the sauce is done.

Aunt Julie said the sometimes added strips of chicken breast at the sauté stage and browned it with the onion and bacon.

P.S. I forgot to share something with you about the vodka sauce. We had stopped at Aunt Julies on short notice so she decided to quickly throw together the sauce. Everyone up on Rockland County will tell you what a bear my husband is when it comes to eating ... picky, picky, picky.  When Aunt Julie put a big bowl of the pasta with vodka sauce on the table, my husband took one tiny scoop. Aunt Julie and I looked at each other, almost holding our breath.  Well, he ate the pasta and then re-filled his plate as if he would never see food again. He is the world’s harshest critic; this really delighted his taste buds!