Tomato Vodka Recipes

Steps:

• Using a skewer, poke a few holes in each tomato. In a container, combine tomatoes and vodka. Cover and refrigerate for 2 days., Pour tomatoes and vodka into a shallow serving dish. Serve tomatoes with toothpicks; if desired, combine sea salt and pepper in a small bowl for dipping.

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt better with oil; add onion and saute for 8 minutes or until transparent.
• Add tomatoes and cook for 25 minutes or until almost no liquid remains in skillet; stir frequently.
• Increase heat and add cream, vodka and red pepper flakes; boil for 2 minutes or until thickened to sauce consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
• Bring sauce to a simmer and pour over pasta; toss to coat. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese; serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Halve the tomatoes lengthwise and arrange them cut-side up on wire racks set over rimmed baking sheets. Drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with the thyme, salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are slumped but still moist in the center, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Let cool.
• Heat 2 tablespoons EVOO in a pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until very soft but not caramelized, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the vodka and cook until reduced by half. Add the chicken stock and roasted tomatoes and heat through. Stir in the mascarpone, then puree into a fairly smooth, creamy sauce using an immersion blender, food processor or blender. Return the sauce to the pot, add the basil and stir until wilted.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta, and season with salt. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain.
• Toss the pasta with the sauce and transfer to a glass or ceramic baking dish. Top with the mozzarella and parmesan. If you are making the pasta ahead of time, cool it and then cover with parchment and foil. Store in the refrigerator.
• When you are ready to serve, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Bake the casserole, covered, until heated through, about 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until brown and bubbly on top, 15 to 20 more minutes.
• Cook's Note: Serve with a salad of escarole or romaine dressed with lemon juice, EVOO, salt and pepper.

Steps:

• Add 6 of the tomatoes and the basil, lime wheels and hot sauce to a cocktail shaker and muddle. Add ice and 6 ounces of the tomato-infused vodka and shake vigorously. Strain into 2 highball glasses filled with ice. Garnish the glasses with the lime wedges and remaining cherry tomatoes. Enjoy!
• For the tomato infused vodka: To a pitcher, add the tomatoes, vodka and bay leaf. Tightly cover and place in a cool dry place to infuse for at least 1 week. Give it a shake once a day.

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat; season the water generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 8 to 12 minutes (depending on the pasta shape). Reserve 1 cup of cooking water in a liquid measuring cup, then drain the pasta.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in another large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic has softened, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the tomato paste and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste has turned a deep brick red and is starting to caramelize on the bottom and sides of the pot, about 6 minutes. Pour in the vodka and scrape any brown bits from the bottom of the pot, then cook until the vodka is almost completely absorbed and the alcohol has cooked off, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low, then stir in the heavy cream and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water until smooth and combined.
• Add the cooked pasta, Parmesan and butter to the sauce and stir to evenly combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt. Adjust the consistency of the sauce, adding 1 tablespoon of cooking water at a time, until it nicely coats the pasta (it should be creamy, glossy and saucy). Serve in shallow bowls with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and thinly sliced fresh basil.

Steps:

• Make the tomato vodka: Cut each of the tomatoes into 8 pieces and put them in a large glass jar. Add the vodka, stir to combine and cover. Put in a cool, dark place for at least 5 days and up to 7 days, stirring every day. After 5 to 7 days, strain through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the solids. To store, pour the tomato vodka back into its original bottle and keep in a cool, dark place.
• Make the Bloody Marys: Put the cherry tomatoes, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender, cover and blend on high speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Fill an ice cube tray with about 2 cups of the juice; freeze overnight. Pour the remaining juice into a lidded container and reserve on the counter overnight. (Refrigeration will destroy these particular flavors and aromas.)
• Just before serving, put 3 frozen cubes in each of 4 Collins glasses and add 1 1/2 ounces tomato vodka to each glass. Stir the reserved juice, pour 4 ounces into each glass and serve immediately.
• Make Alton's tomato vodka ahead of time and keep it on hand: It infuses for at least 5 days.