Penne alla Vodka con Salmone

I made this dish for the Monday Night Tarot group last night -- and wow! They loved it. An old friend used to make this for me at his Italian restaurant. I don't think mine is as good as his but.....it's still really delicious.

PENNE ALLA VODKA CON SALMONE
PENNE WITH VODKA AND SALMON


12 oz. penne pasta
3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 shallot, sliced thin
6 small Roma tomatoes, chopped
3/4 cup whipping cream
3 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (reserve a few sprigs for garnish)
1/2 cup vodka
6 oz. smoked salmon cut into small pieces
ground nutmeg to taste
ground white pepper

Cook pasta in rapidly boiling water al dente (approximately 10 to 12 minutes). Don’t overcook! Drain well.

While pasta is cooking, heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat. Add chopped shallot, cook, and stirring often, until soft but not brown (about 3 minutes). Stir in chopped tomatoes and simmer for about 5 minutes. Add cream, nutmeg, chopped dill and vodka. Increase heat and bring to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute then reduce heat to low.

Add pasta to sauce directly into frying pan and toss lightly. Add salmon and mix again. Add pepper, taste, and then pour into serving bowl, garnish with fresh dill sprigs and serve.