Penne alla Vodka

• 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2/3 cup vodka
• 3/4 cup canned tomato puree
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 pound cooked ham, finely chopped
• 2 drops hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco), or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 1 pound penne
• 3/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1. Melt butter in a deep 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately low heat.
2. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in vodka, bring to a simmer, and simmer for 4 minutes.
4. Add tomato puree and cream and simmer, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in ham, Tabasco, salt, and pepper.
6. Keep sauce warm over very low heat.
7. Cook pasta in 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water (1 tablespoon salt per every 4 quarts water) until al dente.
8. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water and drain pasta.
9. Add pasta to sauce and toss with sauce and cheese, adding some of reserved cooking water if pasta seems dry.

butter, onion, vodka, tomato puree, heavy cream, ham, hot sauce, salt, ground black pepper, penne

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/penne-alla-vodka.html (may not work)