I begin studying for the Bar today! After a week long vacation of doing absolutely nothing productive besides making good food, and eating good food around San Diego, the day has dawned and I will embark on this loner journey called studying for the bar. I already envision many anxious sleepless nights freaking out, tons of coffee/caffeine in whatever forms, lots of memorization, a painful right hand as I review and memorize on paper, sore eyes, dark circles. LOL I totally envision aging during this process. Any recommendations of anti-aging cream? I hope to still update this blog of my sanity throughout this process, and I don’t want ya’ll to forget about me when I become MIA!

Italian food is still my favorite food. I LOVE pasta and sauces and anything with tomatoes and basil in it. I have had salmon pasta alla vodka at several Italian places, but the one I remember the most is the creamy, awesome one at Arrivederci in Hillcrest. It is a super cute Italian place – I absolutely LOVE their bread (I get like 5 baskets when I am there) with their awesome tomato sauce dip that leaves you craving for more. Go check it out if you can! It really is so awesome.

Ingredients

1 filet of salmon, cubed

8 oz (half bag/box) pasta (I used penne), cooked al dente

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 onion, diced

1/3 cup vodka

1 1/3 cup marinara sauce

1/3 cup heavy cream

olive oil

salt and pepper

fresh basil, chopped

1. Pan sear the salmon. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on it. Set aside.

2. Cook the pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large pan, toast the garlic in olive oil on med-high heat until golden brown and toasty. Add the onions and cook the onions for about 3-4 min.

4. Add the vodka to the onions, and let vodka simmer down until there is none left.

5. Add the marinara and stir around. Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste. My marinara is pretty salty already so I just sprinkled some pepper. You can add some cayenne pepper if you want it a tad spicy.

6. Add the heavy cream and let the sauce bubble up a bit.

7. Add the salmon and pasta and mix.

8. Serve with freshly chopped basil!