heart blockage in a plate

Thursday was a good day – things were moving and shaking, and sometimes I felt like I couldn’t keep up, but I did! And I always like days when Tanya is here, as she is so much fun. After work, Bim came over and I showed her and my flatmate D, how to make Penne a la Vodka. Overall, it was a great success and it has been a while since I ate something that rich…and did I ever pay for it later.

I woke up at 1 a.m. feeling extremely awful…I have been getting away with my lactose situation but I think the combo of the butter, the double cream, the cheese and the white pasta and bread took its toll. I haven’t eaten like that in a long time, so my body was very unpleased. So I was up for about 45 mins thinking I was going to get sick, but I didn’t…I think the bottle of red wine helped…love those anti-oxidants.

I’m paying for it today though. I feel like poo.

But that won’t stop me from a pint at the Marquis of Granby! This week has been great – kind of like ‘back to school’. So many people were gone over the holiday and now that we’re all here, we’re all dying to be social. So I will manage a glass of wine tonight, since I think beer would be the wrong thing right now.

Can I just say, I love Sainsbury’s? I needed to buy a toothbrush and paste for work today, and it cost me a whopping 49p. man, when things here are cheap, they’re cheap…

This weekend I'm debating the British Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the movie Defiance (mmmm, daniel crag), and a big clean up. I have so much laundry to do!

So here’s my recipe for Penne a la Vodka. But seriously, only eat it once per year!

Penne ala Vodka
1 package bacon or pancetta - cut into pieces
1 small yellow onion (or half med yellow onion) chopped
1/4 cup of butter
2 28 oz cans of Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup of vodka
1 cup of whipping cream (35%)
3/4 cup butter
In a sauce pan, cook bacon until cooked through (it does not have to be crispy). Once cooked, drain most of the fat, leaving a small amount in the pan. Add the onion and 1/4 cup of butter. Cook until onion is transparent. Add the tomatoe sauce, and cook for about 10 mins. Add the vodka and cook for 5 mins. Add the whipping cream, and simmer for 15 - 20 mins. Just before serving, add the 3/4 cup of butter. Once melted, give it a good stir and serve.

TIPS
Stir your sauce so it doesn't overcook on the bottom.

The measurements for vodka and whipping cream are approximate - you can be as liberal as you wish.

You can add additional spices such as fresh basil, oregano, garlic, etc. to your preference.