Non-alcoholic vodka pasta sauce

Pasta and macaroni Uzbek cuisine

I'd been making this traditional pasta dish with the vodka for years as one of my go-to weekday recipes, adjusting this recipe from Lidia Bastianich (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/penne-alla-vodka-106042). One night I was cooking and realize we were out of vodka, but I continued without. No one noticed a difference. After I'd made it at least five times without vodka, I told my husband, and he was shocked. This is an easy-to-memorize recipe that appeals to children, and simple to make as mild or spicy as you like.