Spicy Tomato Vodka Sauce

Nothing beats my mom's recipe for homemade sauce.  But sometimes you want something that doesn't have to simmer all day!

This recipe is a wonderful vodka sauce.  Quick and easy.  It comes from the February 2011 issue of Cuisine at Home.

Spicy Tomato Vodka Sauce

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup diced onion
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried basil
1 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (I don't like hot stuff, so I just used a sprikle)
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 28 oz can whole tomatoes in juice (original recipe called for 2 cans of whole tomatoes and no crushed tomatoes, but I like the combination of the two better)
1/2 cup vodka
1 fresh bay leaf (I used dried)
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Parmesan

Heat oil in large sauce pan over medium-high heat.  Add onion and pepperoni to oil and saute until onions are soft, about 4 minutes.  Stir in garlic, pepper flakes, and basil.  Cook until fragrant, about 1 minute  Stir in tomato paste to coat mixture and saute 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes, vodka, bay leaf, and salt.  Crush tomatoes into chunks with a spoon.  Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until reduced by a third, about 30 minutes.  Discard bay leaf.  Stir in vinegar, cream and Parmesan.  Serve with your favorite pasta!