vodka sauce recipe

Ingredients

* 1 cup vodka
* 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 large clove garlic, minced
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 (28 ounce) can roma tomatoes, with juice
* 2 (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
* 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine vodka and red pepper flakes. Set aside for 1 hour.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Pour in vodka mixture, and simmer 10 minutes. Crush tomatoes, and stir in with 2 cans of tomato sauce, and 1 (8 ounce) can water. Simmer 15 minutes. Stir in 1 cup heavy cream, and cook 2 minutes.

When I make this I change this slightly by adding chicken. I start by cutting chicken breast into 1/2 cubes and browning that up first (I don't use any oil or anything. just let the chicken cook in its own juice. when all juice is gone chicken is done. then you can brown it up a little if you like. no I have never had any issues with it sticking). then I begin the first step of the vodka sauce.
I serve it mixed with bow-tie pasta that is prepared according to the package directions. and asparagus that I throw into the pasta pot a few minutes before the pasta is done cooking.

its extremely yummy. you can use prosciutto instead of chicken if you like. or both. you can also leave out the asparagus or swap it for another veggie of your choice. I personally love asparagus tho. It can also be a little spicy. If your family doesn't like spicy then you can omit the red pepper flakes. If you like a little spice but worried its to much then when you pour the vodka into the pan don't add the flakes. I sometimes add all and sometimes only about half the flakes. but I always start off with the full amount in the vodka. you really need it for flavor in my opinion.

I developed this recipe after buying a pre-package/steam meal that was similar. After buying it a couple times I decided I could make it cheaper. After making it myself a few times we got lazy and picked up the package. which we no longer liked because the one I make is so much better. :)

I'm adding this recipe because a friend asked me to. Next time I make it I'll try to remember to get a picture to add to the post.

My good friend "Que" has started blogging recipes. More like helpful ideas she is sharing so that we can enjoy some good food. We all fall into ruts. Eating the same meals over and over again. This is an attempt to help mix it up a little. Since Que is gracious to share some of her experiments... I thought I could do the same. I have in the past occasionally put a few recipe tidbits here and there. So perhaps a little revisit is due. This isn't a traditional "recipe". But please feel free to ask questions if they arise. I'd be more than glad to help if you wanted to try out any of the "suggestions" I provide. enjoy.


I'll call this one "encrusted tilapia"



tilapia fillet; thawed
shallow bowl of milk with salt and pepper
fire roasted tomato triscuits crushed w/ a package of ranch dressing mix

large skillet with 3tbls butter and a clove of garlic.

Melt butter and cook garlic over low heat. While garlic cooks prepare fish. I had individually wrapped frozen fillets. I thawed them at room temp. Then rinsed with cool water. Threw them over in the milk bath for a moment. Then into the bowl of triscuit mix. Try to coat each side. I had crushed mine in a bag but I recommend a food processor. mine weren't crushed enough and didn't stick as well. Just before putting fish into pan turn pan up to medium heat. Cook on each side 3-5 minutes. You want the fish to be flaky but not dry.

obviously its time for an update.

We are in NY. But we didn't get here in November like I originally posted. It was middle of January before we moved. We got up here just after a snowstorm. So there was some lingering on the ground. Then VA got pounded. I was there for close to 7 years and no snow. I move and they get 8inches. We only got 1 snow while here (so far). It was like 6 inches or something. I'm not to worried I know we'll see plenty of snow before we leave here. This is a 3.5 year long tour.

Nathan loves it up here. Except that he isn't in school right now (long story) and he misses his VA friends. Now that the weather is warming up he is playing outside more and making a few friends. I'm working with him on reading. He is doing great. So proud of him. I got him this 3-5year old workbook and that was a freaking joke. He blew through it. I was like "well reviews are good, right?" haha. I think math is the next subject that I need to start focusing more time on with him. He can do basic addition and subtraction already. But we just dont really focus on math as a subject. We use what comes up in day to day life.
Ryan is almost walking. Growing up so fast. Its amazing to watch. Great thing about being a parent. He still does have any teeth. that doesn't stop him from eating anything and everything tho. he is 15lbs now. around 25inches tall (hard to measure him when all he wants to do is run around). He loves playing with Nathan. And Nathan is an awesome older brother.

Justin loves his work/job these days. Says its so much less stressful than a ship. His schedule sucks tho. He is on rotating shift work. So every week is a different schedule. The nice thing about it is that we know his schedule for the entire year. But its impossible to get use to. Hard on the boys. I cried the first month. The second month wasn't as bad because he did a "training" class for 2 weeks. Which was a day schedule. It was nice because he ended up with 2 long weekends back to back. something we know wont happen again. He is back to regularly scheduled stuff now and its taking its toll.

I miss my friends in VA. I miss my friends in KY. I miss having friends. I am getting out there and trying to meet new friends. Its easier this time than when I moved to VA. Which is nice. I guess I'm learning.

Our house in Portsmouth is still there. We haven't sold it or rented it. It was on the market for 6 months. Then got taken down because our realtor pretty much told us lower the price or take it down. We were working with the bank at the time to try to figure something out. But that isn't panning out to well. We are at a standstill right now with it. Not sure what's going to happen. But its not really looking all that good.

I am of course still knitting. Not the best blogger. But Amie is nice enough to share her space with me. "for those of you who have forgotten or are just curious." you can also find stuff at "my flickr account." I really enjoy my knitting and spinning and love showing it off.

ok well its late. I was trying to wait for Justin to get home so I could kiss him before bed. But he is later tonight than normal. And I'm tired.

ok so life has been full of stuff lately. The obvious from the last post is the new addition to our family. :) gotta say second babies are more exhausting than first babies. With Nathan I was able to sleep whenever he did. This time that isn't an option because I'm up taking care of Nathan. Ryan's been getting us up anywhere between 6 and 8am (you know after the pretty much sleepless night. well for me... justin sleeps right thru it). So around 9pm is when I start falling asleep. Sometimes if I eat a small something just before I'm able to hold off sleep a little. But really I'm so exhausted that I dont mind sharing a bedtime with the 4 year old. As far as recovery, things are easier this time. Labor at the midwifery center was about a bazillion times better than the traditional hospital birth I had with Nathan. And having Justin home is awesome. Someone here to help. Its a bigger blessing than I could have ever imagined.

Other than that we are also gearing up for a move. Unofficial orders to NY (detailer is working on paperwork now... should have written orders with actual dates in 2 weeks) for around the middle of November. Not at all prepared to deal with the house (deciding whether to sell or rent or whatever). Very mixed feelings about the move. I've been in VA for a little over 6 years. When I first moved here I didn't expect to stay this long at all. The first year I was here I hated it. Now I'm happy here. I have friends here. A life here. I know the area (even if I do still get lost driving in norfolk). I'm also excited about moving. About seeing something new. The boys getting to play in snow. the possibility of an actual white christmas. those are all very exciting things. Also the very best part about NY orders is no deployments.

I am getting in a teeny tiny bit of knitting. Just a few rows here and there on some small blanket squares. Nothing big and fancy.

I had other things I wanted to share. But now that I'm trying to type them I can't remember. Maybe I'll think of it later and come back and share.

again by the time I'm posting this most ppl already know. But guess what for those who dont. I had my baby!

Ryan Daniel Ryder was born July 20th 2009 at 4:13am 7lbs 11oz and 20inches long.

contractions started at 20 till midnight. At first they were every 10-12 minutes. It sucked but I could tolerate it. It mostly just felt like a really bad stomach ache (cramping and gas pains) that got worse if I tried to move. I wanted to make sure it was true labor so I waited an hour before telling anyone. Then I waited a total of 3 hours before waking Justin up. At that time contractions were 3-4 minutes apart. We left for the hospital and got there at around 3:20am. I was already fully dilated. Things happened much faster than we thought. I was happy that I didn't have to have an iv this time (was suppose to but didn't get there in time) and REALLY happy about not having to have pitocin this time. labor without pitocin seemed smoother and more natural. It still sucked. I mean its labor. But it was so completely different this time. Even with it progressing so much faster than with Nathan my body had more time to naturally react to everything. Where as with the pitocin the doc/nurses controlled the speed and my body had no choice in the matter.

Comparison of the two:
Nathan born October 16, 2004 at 1:32pm 5lbs 10oz and 18.5inches long
water broke at 4am
check into hospital by 4:30am
born at 1:32pm

Ryan born July 20, 2009 at 4:13am 7lbs 11oz and 20inches long
contractions started at 11:40pm
check into hospital by 3:20am
born at 4:13am

We are so happy to be home. got a great nights sleep last night compared to sleeping at the hospital. Everyone seems to be adjusting really nicely to each other. Nathan has even already helped with diaper changes. He is such a great big brother. Although some of it confuses him. He showed a few signs of jealousy while in the hospital but hasn't displayed much at all since getting home. He has referred to Ryan as "my baby" a lot. His favorite thing is for Ryan to grab his finger and hold on. He also loves to kiss him. He'd kiss him constantly if we'd let him.

Ok so by my calendar I'm 35 weeks this week. My next appt is the 10th and hopefully we can get on the same page with a due date everyone is happy and comfortable with. This I might be anywhere between 34 weeks this week and 36 weeks bothers me. I'll stick with saying I'm 35 weeks, but if they want to say I'm 36 I'll go with that. Especially after they said they think he is huge. I know he is bigger than Nathan. Which yes that does scare me.

Had a really nice baby shower saturday. Kept it small and I honestly think that's how parties like that should be. I hope everyone that attended had a good time. There was much chatter and eating and prizes.

I got a lot of amazing gifts. Hardly have anything left on my list of "must haves". Was fun getting to explain some of the products to others. Some of the ones I used with Nathan and knew were to be on the "must haves" list this go. and then of course explaining why I didn't want some items. And what some of the cloth diapering items were.

Watching the expression on Sams face when we tried to explain labor pains to her. I think me and Valerie did a rather nice job explaining it. But pretty sure she is terrified of it now. Not that we were trying to scare her. Just being as honest as possible. I'm not the type to lie about it.

I think filling the house with baby items from the shower has gotten Justin more ready for this. He finally got our carseat out of the attic. And he is dying to put the swing together. We have half our hospital bag packed (half meaning we haven't gotten it all gathered up yet. I think we'll finish that tomorrow tho).

I'm ready for this baby to come even if no one else is. Nathan is ready too. He tells his little brother daily that he needs to come out and join us.

bunkbeds and matching quilts for the boys

Went today and registered Nathan for PreK. Wont know until July 10th whether he gets into the program or not. Our interview process went well. So I have high hopes that he is in the program. I can't wait to find out.

Got Nathan all signed up for Swim classes this year. I found an awesome program last year. But found it right before we went to GA for 6 weeks. Then the wedding traveling (Amie's and Wyatt's). By the time we got back we were completely broke and couldn't afford it. And they were pretty booked up until the fall. All year we've been trying to make sure that we could get him the classes. I'm happy to report that he is signed up for 12 classes. 2 classes a week for 6 weeks. After those 12 classes we'll see how he is doing and decide how his progress is doing and whether he needs more classes. He is super excited about his classes. So much that he ask daily if its time for swim classes. His first one is May 18th.

I have my fingers crossed for getting my car back today. I wont know that until around 3. which sucks. All day just waiting to find out if they call or not. I have a ton of errands to run. So would be wonderful if I could get my car back. Not to mention the very early doctors appointment I have tomorrow.

April 2: Justin wrecked my car on way home from work

April 3: spend all day on phone with insurance because they are retarded and can't remember what they said they'd do the night before (tow my car to shop... thus they think my car is lost. or that I'm a lazy bum for not having gotten my car to shop already. This seriously takes from 8am to 5pm to figure out and locate car and get towed to shop for estimate. Estimate that was scheduled for 8am)

April 6: Go sign paper work on estimate at body shop so they can start work on my car. Estimate is for $5182.27.

April 16: Justin stops by shop because they need another signature. Estimate is wrong and they want more money. Turns out they dont need a signature. But he gets update on car. The only Fit in the system is the 08 fit. The 09 and 10 fits are not in the system. Making things difficult to get parts and work done. (I have the 09 model). They are working best they can. Insurance company is being helpful and not giving them hard time about money.

April 24: hadn't heard anything about my car so I call to get update. Parts were on backorder. They finally got them in yesterday. I "might" get my car back first of the week. If they dont run into any other problems.

UGH!

so just fyi to everyone. my baby shower has been set for june 6th. no time yet. and formal invites will go out when it gets closer to time. if anyone wants to be invited but isn't sure they are on the invite list please leave a comment with your address (i'm screening so no one but me will be able to see).