Date Night MOCK Vodka Sauce (Jersey Style)

Marcella Hazan's Tomato Sauce with Onion and Butter

• 2 pounds fresh, ripe tomatoes; blanched or 2 cups canned itialian plum tomatoes cut up, with their juice
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium onnion, peeled and cut in half

1. Put either the prepared fresh tomatoes or the canned in a saucepan, add the butter, onion, and salt, and cook uncovered at a very slow, but steady simmer for about 45 minutes, or until it is thickened to your liking and the fat floats free from the tomato
2. Stir from time to time, mashing up any large pieces of tomato with the back of a wooden spoon. While sauce is simmering move on to the "Easiest Alfredo Ever."
3. Discard the onion and add salt and pepper to taste.

"The Easiest Alfredo Sauce Ever" + the extras

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup 1 freshly grated Parmagiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for garnish
• 1/3-1/2 cup white grape juice
• 1/4 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• freshly chopped basil (chiffonade), for garnish
• splash of pasta water

1. Melt the butter in the cream in a wide, heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat, stirring or whisking often.
2. When the butter is completely melted, add the cheese a little at a time, whisking or stirring after each addition
3. Continue cooking until the sauce is reduced and thickened, about 20-25 minutes. Taste and add salt if needed.
4. When both sauces are completed, measure them out into equal amounts depending on how many people you are serving. Stir the equal amounts of red and white sauce together in one pot. Any extra red or white sauce will make a tasty leftover for another day.
5. Add the red pepper flakes, white grape juice, and hint of lime juice for that tangy/spicy/sweet flavor that this sauce requires.
6. Let the combined sauce with its new additions heat thoroughly and allow all the flavors to blend; about five minutes on medium heat.
7. Toss the sauce with prepared penne pasta, or any pasta of your choosing. Also, be sure to mix in a splash of the starchy pasta water to bring it all together.
8. Garnish with freshly chopped basil and some parmesan and DIG IN!