Vodka Blush Sauce with Bucatini

I've had this recipe a looooong time - a few years at least. 

I can't even remember where I originally found it,

but it's been in my recipe binder just waiting to be made.

While doing my weekly meal planning I've passed it many times,

but I recently had a HUGE craving for some kind of pasta,

so I finally whipped out my recipe for Vodka Blush Sauce!

The Goods:

Bucatini Pasta

Olive Oil

Vodka

Marinara Sauce

Chopped/Diced Tomatoes

Heavy Cream

Garlic

Salt

Red Pepper Flakes

Fresh Basil

Fresh Flat Leaf Parsley

Fresh Oregano

 Parmesan Cheese (Not pictured - oops!)

(Full Recipe at bottom of post!)

Heat the olive oil in a large pan, add garlic and red pepper flakes.

Saute for about 30 seconds - until garlic is starting to get fragrant. 

Add marinara sauce, stir, add the chopped tomatoes and stir again.

Next measure out your vodka and add to the sauce.

Add a whole bunch (that's how I measured at least) of fresh herbs!

I used fresh basil, flat leaf parsley and oregano.

Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

Cook the sauce for about 15 minutes...

Until it looks something like this!

Now add your cream.

Give it another good stir and your sauce is almost done!

Let it simmer 5 more minutes.

At the last minute, I decided the sauce needed something more.

So I added a whole bunch (again - how I measured!) of fresh parmesan.

While the sauce was first simmering, I started my pasta.

I chose to use bucatini, but any pasta would be fine.

Just cook according to the package directions.

OR if you have time - make your own!

Once your pasta is cooked drain it well.

Then add the pasta to your sauce and fully combine together. 

And that's it folks! 

Serve with a little more fresh parmesan and herbs.

This recipe is so easy to make and can even be enjoyed by little ones.

The vodka cooks off, but leaves an amazing taste to the sauce.

I didn't time how long it took me, but I'm betting it was around a half hour.

Vodka Blush Sauce with Bucatini

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1 heaping teaspoon red pepper flakes

1 large box (26.5 oz) chopped tomatoes

1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce

2 tablespoons (+/-) fresh flat leaf parsley

1 tablespoon (+/1) fresh basil

1 teaspoon (+/-) fresh oregano

1/4 vodka

1/2 cup heavy cream

fresh parmesan to your liking

salt to taste

1 pound bucatini

Note: the herb measurements should be your guideline,

but as shown above I didn't accurately measure those myself. 

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to the package directions. (You should start the pasta once your sauce is simmering the first time.)
2. In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil then add your garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 30 seconds.
3. Add marinara sauce and chopped tomatoes, then stir to combine.
4. Add the vodka and stir again.
5. Add the fresh herbs, stir once again. 
6. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes.
7. Add the heavy cream, stir and simmer 5 more minutes.
8. Add the freshly grated parmesan and stir.
9. Drain your pasta fully, add to the sauce and combine fully.
10. Serve with more fresh parmesan and herbs.

Quinoa Broccoli Cheddar Bites

A few weeks ago one of my friends shared this recipe on their Facebook.

I love quinoa, so as soon as I saw it I made a mental note to make it soon.

Soon didn't take too long to come and after tasting these little bites,

I knew it was a recipe I wanted to share on my blog.

These Quinoa Broccoli Cheddar Bites are easy to make,

so you'll be enjoying their deliciousness in very little time.

Keep reading to see how easy they really are to make!

I think you'll be happy with the outcome.

The Goods:

Quinoa

Broccoli

Cheddar

Onion

Garlic

Egg

Red Peppers

Paprika

(Full recipe found in link above)

Get your ingredients all prepped.

Cook your quinoa, 

chop your broccoli, 

dice you onion,

mince your garlic

and shred your cheese.

Then throw everything into one bowl....

And mix until everything is well combined.

Spray your mini muffin pan and fill with the mixture.

Note - I halved the original recipe and still had 24 bites.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 20 minutes,

or until the edges turn golden brown.

Cool in the pan for a minute or two,

then remove and finish cooling on a wire rack.

I ate a few these delicious bites the day they were made,

but also enjoyed them reheated over the next few days.

Sunday Night Dinner: Take 18!

Last week, I said I would try to be better about posting a Sunday Night Dinner post more frequently. So, without missing a week - here it is! 

I made a VERY simple chicken recipe that I'd never made before, but well absolutly be making again. It was made using a whole chicken, an onion, spices and my wondeful crock pot. I'll probably end up posting about this, but until then - the recipe can be found here!

Along with the delicious chicken, I made some whipped/mashed potatoes, gravy and a sauteed broccoli.  While I loved the mashed potatoes (who doesn't?!?!), I wasn't in love with the broccoli recipe. And this is odd because I normally LOVE it prepared any way. Oh well - lesson learned. I will eat the leftovers, but I will NOT make it this way again... 

Overall, the dinner was very tasty (see below - I cleaned my plate!) and I look forward to having the leftovers tomorrow!!!