Top crab-stuffed pasta shells with vodka sauce.
Crab and vodka are not usually associated with each other, unless your thinking crab cakes and vodka shots, but they actually complement each other very well in recipes, especially pasta dishes. With a basic vodka sauce under your belt, you can get creative with crab and vodka in as many ways as you can imagine. There are a few great recipes you should try out first, but then the sky's the limit. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
Vodka Sauce
1. Heat a non-stick pan on the stove and add a tbsp. olive oil and butter and stir to melt together. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 sliced onion and saut until tender; around 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Remove the pan from the heat briefly and add a cup of vodka. Return the pan to the stove and reduce the vodka by half; around 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Add a cup of stock (chicken, vegetable or beef) and a can of pureed or minced tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and add 1/2 cup thin cream and stir to combine.
Simple Crab And Vodka Linguine
5. Set a pot 3/4 full of salted water to boil on the stove. Make the simple vodka sauce, but don't add the cream yet.
6. Add 1/2 pound crab meat pieces to the vodka sauce and simmer for 2 minutes, at the same time, add the fresh linguine to the boiling water.
7. Remove the sauce from the heat, stir in cream and 2 tbsp. freshly chopped basil. Remove linguine from the pot after 3 minutes, or until al dente and drain in a colander.
8. Divide the linguine between 4 bowls, top with crab and vodka sauce and garnish with 1/2 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese.
Pasta Shells Stuffed With Crab In Vodka Sauce
9. Make the vodka sauce and set aside. In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup ricotta with 1/2 cup each of grated mozzarella and Parmesan and 2 minced garlic cloves. Add an egg, 1 cup of drain, chopped cooked spinach, 1/2 pound crab meat and 2 tbsp. each of chopped basil and parsley. Mix together and season with salt and pepper.
10. Divide the crab mixture evenly between 20 cooked large pasta shells, stuffing the mixture tightly into the shells.
11. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. of breadcrumbs onto the bottom of a baking pan, then place the stuffed shells on top. Pour over the vodka sauce and sprinkle on remaining 3 tbsp. breadcrumbs.
12. Bake for 25 minutes in 350 degree Fahrenheit oven, or until the breadcrumbs are golden.
Tags: vodka sauce, from heat, around minutes, chopped basil, crab meat, Crab Vodka, each other