best pasta dish I've ever made...

Goodness me this was AMAZING!! I had a feeling it would be when I saw it on the Barefoot Contessa the other day. I fixed Desi a plate on the patio as he'd been spreading compost over our yard all evening, ceasar salad with homemade dressing, yummy la brea french bread, the first decent watermelon of the season, and a steaming delicious ladelfull of this pasta. He told me it was a fine dining experience, restaurant quality. Such good reviews makes the work all worthwhile. So if you're coming to my house for dinner. This will certainly be on the menu...

Nick and Toni's Penne Alla Vecchia Bettola

2009, Joseph Realmuto, All Rights Reserved

Serves:
4 to 5 servings

Ingredients

* 1/4 cup good olive oil
* 1 medium Spanish onion, chopped
* 3 cloves of garlic, diced
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
* 1 cup vodka
* 2 (28-ounce) cans peeled plum tomatoes
* Kosher salt
* Freshly ground black pepper
* 3/4 pound penne pasta
* 4 tablespoons fresh oregano
* 3/4 to 1 cup heavy cream
* Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a large oven proof saute pan over medium heat, add the onions and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes until translucent. Add the red pepper flakes and dried oregano and cook for 1 minute more. Add the vodka and continue cooking until the mixture is reduced by half.

Meanwhile, drain the tomatoes through a sieve and crush them into the pan with your hands. Add 2 teaspoons salt and a pinch of black pepper. Cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and place it in the oven for 1 1/2 hours. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.

Place the tomato mixture in a blender and puree in batches until the sauce is a smooth consistency. Return to the pan.

Reheat the sauce, add 2 tablespoons fresh oregano and enough heavy cream to make the sauce a creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper, to taste, and simmer for 10 minutes. Toss the pasta into the sauce and cook for 2 minutes more. Stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan. Serve with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan and a sprinkle of fresh oregano on each plate.