Pasta alla Bourbon

I set out to make our usual penne alla vodka. Except we didn't have penne. Nor vodka. Instead, I glanced at a just-opened (but dusty) bottle of bourbon that I had used for another recipe. (Bourbon BBQ Sauce!) and figured that would suit well. I also  had some tomato passata so hey, that went in as well.

Huge success. Kids licked their plates, and we ended up having to eat some sandwiches later, because we didn't make enough. Definitely something to make again! (And I have to, because I didn't manage to get a photo of it before it was all gone...)

Pasta alla Bourbon
serves 2 adults, 2 kids

400 g pasta of your choice (we used sedani, small ridged tubes)
1 tbsp olive oil
70 g bacon
1/2 tsp chili flakes
50 ml (or so) bourbon
150 ml tomato passata
150 ml (or so) water
100 ml cream
large handful grated parmesan cheese

Cook your pasta in plenty of salted water.

Dice your bacon finely, and cook in the olive oil until slightly crispy along with the chili flakes. Do this in a large saucepan, big enough to hold your pasta. Add the bourbon and cook until it's mostly gone. Add the tomato passata and water, bring to a boil and cook for about five minutes on low-medium heat. It should reduce quite a bit. Add the cream when there's just a few minutes left of until the pasta is done.

When it is, drain it but reserve some water. Add your pasta to the sauce, and sprinkle with the cheese. Fold together, and use the reserved pasta water to make it saucier, if you want to.