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Vodka sauce

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Vodka sauce
Potato gnocchi vodka
TypeSauce
Place of originUnited States
Main ingredientsTomato sauce, vodka, Italian herbs, heavy cream
VariationsSpicy vodka sauce
Vodka sauce over seafood, cooked vegetables, and pasta

Vodka sauce, is a creamy tomato sauce used in Italian-American cuisine,[1] made from a smooth tomato sauce, vodka, typical Italian herbs, and heavy cream (which gives the sauce its distinctive orange color).[citation needed] The sauce's color ranges from pink to reddish-orange depending how it is prepared.[2] Although Vodka is cooked out of the dish in the later stages, it is thought that the vodka helps the cream and and tomato blend together in an emulsion during the cooking process.[3]

Vodka sauce is creamy tomato with a smooth texture, and flavored with olive oil, parmesan cheese, pepper, garlic, and shallots.[4]

One of the original applications was in penne alla vodka, but it has expanded beyond that use to other pasta and dishes, with one author noting "vodka sauce has taken the world by storm" and pointing out it has broken out to other dishes.[5] The sauce does not have to be paired with penne, other options include rotini, bow tie, or linguine for example.[4] However, a 2023 article in Epicurious notes that despite its origins as a penne pasta dish, by the 21st century vodka sauce had "left the pasta."[6] The sauce's color is is said to make it popular on social media in the 2020s.[7] One social media post related to vodka sauce, got 17 millions views in late 2024; a concerned parent found there vodka supply was dwindling but it turned out their daughters had been making vodka sauce.[8] Other dishes that might use vodka sauce include chicken vodka radiatori, gnocchi vodka, fettuccine vodka, and penne with vodka sauce with crumbled bacon.[9]

Celebrity Carson Daly made a vodka sauce pizza on the Today show in 2024.[10] The 2020s saw a trend in spicy vodka sauce, which is the same sauce with additional ground chili pepper for spicy hot kick.[11] Costco began selling pre-made spicy vodka sauce.[12] Some interesting breakout recipes, include a version of Tteokbokki (Korean rice cake) with vodka sauce.[13]

One chef found they could not find a difference in vodkas on the impact, but the higher proof ones need to cook off longer.[14]

There are multiple origin stories for vodka sauce, which date to the 1970s and 1980s including various cookbooks and restaurants in New York City and Italy.[15]

Multiple commercial brands have begun selling vodka sauce including: Bertolli, Isola, Prego, Full Circle, Whole Foods 365, and Rao's. [3]

Similar sauces

[edit]

Parma rosa sauce is a similar sauce typically consisting of a blend of marinara sauce and heavy cream,[16] and it could be compared to mixing tomato sauce with alfredo sauce (though its not made that way). It does not contain vodka, also vodka sauce does not use marina sauce as a base.

Trader Joe's pink sauce is mix of Alfredo sauce and marinara sauce.[17] (not technically parma rosa or vodka sauce)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Long, Lucy (July 17, 2015). Ethnic American Food Today: A Cultural Encyclopedia. ISBN 9781442227316.
  2. ^ "Vodka sauce, a popular Italian sauce ideal for social media | Nation's Restaurant News". www.nrn.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Fann, Holly. "I'm a chef comparing 6 store-bought vodka sauces, and I found the best is worth paying a few extra bucks for". Business Insider. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Park, Jenny (April 8, 2021). "The Best Vodka Sauce Recipe". Spoon Fork Bacon. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  5. ^ Balisi, Jen (April 5, 2022). Indulgent Eats at Home: 60 Crave-Worthy Recipes Inspired by the World's Most Instagram-Famous Food. Page Street Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64567-411-5.
  6. ^ Eng, Jess (May 18, 2023). "The Vodka Sauce Has Left the Pasta". Epicurious. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  7. ^ "Vodka sauce, a popular Italian sauce ideal for social media | Nation's Restaurant News". www.nrn.com. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "A mom caught her teen daughter stealing vodka. Turns out, she wasn't drinking it". TODAY.com. September 5, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  9. ^ "10 Classic Vodka Pasta Recipes with Creamy Tomato Sauces". Allrecipes. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  10. ^ "Watch Carson and Siri adorably critique son Jackson's cooking demo on TODAY". TODAY.com. November 15, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  11. ^ Rizzolo, Stephanie (September 12, 2024). "The 13 best N.J. restaurants for spicy vodka sauce, pasta's hottest trend, ranked". nj. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  12. ^ Hutsenpiller, Nathan (April 2, 2024). "This 'Better Than Rao's' Pasta Sauce Is Sold at Costco". Parade. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  13. ^ Park, James (August 24, 2021). "Cook Your Rice Cakes in Pasta Sauce". Eater. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
  14. ^ Redden, Claire (March 23, 2024). "Does It Matter What Type Of Vodka You Use In Homemade Sauce? A Chef Weighs In". Tasting Table. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  15. ^ Paesana. "The Story Behind The Sauce: Vodka". www.paesana.com. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  16. ^ Hill, Meggan (April 15, 2024). "Parma Rosa Sauce". Culinary Hill. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
  17. ^ House, Moriah (November 3, 2024). "What Exactly Is Trader Joe's Iconic 'Pink Sauce'?". The Takeout. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
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