Use What To Clean Your Diamonds?...and a Great Recipe!

VODKA!  Yes, Vodka is the answer.  I always run out of jewelery cleaner, so I decided to find an alternate method of cleaning my diamond wedding rings.  Not only is vodka something most people have on hand in their in-home bar, it is much, much cheaper than traditional jewelery cleaner.  That being said, remember, vodka is not for all jewelery.  This is for diamond jewelery only!  Also, if your diamond jewelery is really dirty, you can use a soft toothbrush dipped in the vodka to clean it.  It will help remove tough dirt without damaging the stone.

So, now that I have a whole bottle of vodka, what do I do with it?  I don't drink vodka, so I researched a bit and found a great recipe by Rachael Ray.  I have made this in the past and it is delicious.  I think I will have to add it back into my arsenal of  "oldies, but goodies".

"You Won't Be Single for Long" Vodka Cream Pasta
Recipe Courtesy of Rachael Ray
From: The Best Burger in America Discovered

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, once around the pan in a slow stream
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 shallots, minced
• 1 cup vodka
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (32 ounces)
• Coarse salt and pepper
• 16 ounces pasta, such as penne rigate
• 1/2 Cup heavy cream
• 20 leaves fresh basil, shredded or torn

Serve with: crusty bread

Directions:

1. Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. 
2. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots
3. Gently saute shallots for  to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness. 
4. Add vodka to the pan (3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup)
5. Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Add chicken stock and tomatoes.
7. Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer.
8. Season with salt and pepper.
9. While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked al dente.  While pasta cooks, prepare salad or other side dishes.
10. Stir cream into sauce.  When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat.  Drain pasta.  Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves.
11. ENJOY!