Rigatoni alla Vodka with Toasted Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 large onion, small dice
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried sweet basil
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1-28oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1-28oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vodka
- salt and pepper to taste
- toasted pine nuts
- fresh basil
Optional additions
- lentil or bean pasta
- cooked beans
- spinach
Preparation
Soak 1 cup cashews overnight or in just boiled water for at least 1 hour.
Blend soaked cashews on high until smooth.
Sauté 1 large onion (small dice) until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add 5 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried sweet basil, 1 tsp red chili flakes, and 1/2 tsp dried thyme. Sauté another minute until fragrant.
Add 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook another 30 seconds while mixing.
Stir in 1-28oz can crushed tomatoes, 1-28oz can diced tomatoes, and 1 cup vodka. Bring to a boil before reducing heat to a low simmer and cook about 15 minutes so alcohol cooks off.
Optional: Purée tomato vodka sauce before mixing with blended cashews.
Add blended cashews to cooked tomato vodka sauce in saucepan and bring mixture to a simmer until heated through.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Top with toasted pine nuts and fresh basil.
Serve with lentil or bean pasta for more protein, or mix in some cooked beans at the end.
Optionally, add spinach at the final stage of cooking and continue heating until just wilted.
