My friend Becky Striepe saw I was counting down the days till Valentine’s with tips, recipes, playlists and etc. and she decided she would help me out and let me borrow her amazing recipe for an awesome vegan dish: Penna alla Vodka. Enjoy!
Penna alla Vodka
Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and I’m sure you’re scheming a romantic evening with your sweetie! Never fear: we’ve got you covered with this vegan version of the Italian classic: Penne alla Vodka. Set a lovely table, pop open a bottle of your favorite wine, and you’re all set!
1 28-oz can of organic diced tomatoes (If you prefer a smoother sauce, you’ll want to whizz the tomatoes in your blender or food processor before adding them. I like it a little chunkier, so I left them as-is.)
1 pound whole wheat penne
1/4c olive oil
6 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
your favorite hot sauce, to taste
salt, to taste
1/4c vodka
3/4c soy milk
2 to 3T fresh Italian parsley, chopped (it’s pretty important to not substitute dried here)
1/2c nutritional yeast
Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, and set aside.
In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Sautee the garlic for a few minutes, until it’s slightly browned, and then carefully add the tomatoes. Season with the salt and hot sauce, and then bring the tomatoes to a boil letting them simmer for 2-3 minutes.
Add your vodka, lower the heat, and simmer the sauce for just a few more minutes before adding the soymilk.
Now, add the pasta to the sauce and bring it back to a boil, making sure you toss it well to get all of the penne nice and coated. Add the parsley, drizzle a little extra olive oil into the pot, and simmer for a few more minutes to let the sauce reduce.
Take the pot off of the heat, stir in your nutritional yeast, and you’re ready to serve!
So spill it: do you guys have any fancy Valentine’s day plans?
A little bit about Becky Striepe
Becky Striepe is a vegan, independent crafter, and freelance blogger living in Atlanta, Georgia. Her passion is working with vintage fabric and salvaged materials. There’s just something about giving found objects a brand new life that really appeals to her. They lend their own stories to everything she makes!
Her indie business, Glue and Glitter, is all about using existing materials in products that help folks waste less without feeling deprived. She believes in the power of little changes: using cloth napkins instead of paper or a reusable bag instead of a plastic one. Things like this add up to make a big impact! Even the act of cooking is so much greener than takeout when you consider all of the packaging and whatnot involved in ordering that Chinese delivery. If a Lunch Kit would get you packing your lunch for work or school, or a cute apron encourages you to get in the kitchen and put a meal together, Becky hopes that she can make one to inspire you!
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MELIGENIA