RAKI PASTA
Serves 2, Ready in 15 Minutes
This is my Albanian take on the viral vodka pasta!
Raki is an Albanian spirit that’s often homemade using grapes and it is strong, I’ll warn you now! Luckily, the alcohol cooks off when it’s added into this pasta sauce so don’t be afraid of this dish, it’s delicious!
It’s also worth using a really good quality tomato puree for this recipe as it has quite a big impact on the sauce. You’ll also want to use a textured pasta that will hold onto all that sauce- think ridged or crinkled edges. Malfada corta is my pasta of choice!
INGREDIENTS
250g Malfada corta (or another textured pasta)
1 Shallot or small onion, finely chopped
3 Garlic cloves, finely chopped
100g Tomato puree
5 Tablespoons raki
100ml Double cream
Pinch of chilli flakes
Olive oil
Salt & pepper
Grated parmesan to add to the sauce and serve
Basil to serve
METHOD
Boil the pasta according to the instructions until al dente (around 10 minutes for malfada corta).
Heat a little olive oil in a frying pan and fry the onions and garlic until soft.
Add the tomato puree and cook for 1 minute.
Stir in the raki, cream, chilli flakes and season well over a low heat.
Stir in a little parmesan to melt it into the sauce.
Drain the pasta and add to the frying pan, stirring to fully coat the pasta in the sauce off the heat.
Serve with grated parmesan on top and garnish with a little basil.