Rigatoni with Shrimp and Mushroom in Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce

On of my coworkers had a pasta dish today that looked kind of like something that Bertolli would make. It looked good, but why settle for frozen pasta when I could cook something just as good? So I trekked over to the market to pick up some supplies. It's funny, I've never ordered a vodka tomato cream sauce pasta anywhere, nor have I had a pre-fab vodka tomato cream sauce, but I think I know how to make one.

The sauce came out thinner than I would have liked for the visual presentation, but it was still pretty delicious. It was milder and sweeter (as opposed to more savory) than a normal marinara. And best thing is I have two more meals worth to cover tomorrow's lunch and possibly Friday's. Yay!

Osso Buco

For Mothers' Day I made osso buco. I think I've only made this dish four other times in my life, but it's always good. It looks like a fancy restaurant meal, but it's not particularly difficult to make, although it is pricy and labor intensive.

For the sides I made risotto alla milanese and glazed carrots. The other four times I made this dish, these were probably the accompanying sides as they compliment the osso buco well.

I guess the dish is pretty impressive though, since most people don't eat veal shanks all the time.