Penne with Vodka Sauce

POINTS® Value: 7
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 18 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 medium shallot(s), minced (about 1/2 cup)
2 medium garlic clove(s), minced
2 tbsp parsley, fresh, minced
1/2 small sea salt, or other coarse salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
3 tbsp canned tomato paste
2 oz vodka
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste (for cooking pasta)
12 oz uncooked penne
1/2 cup(s) heavy whipping cream
20 leaves basil, fresh, cut into ribbons (chiffonade)

* Heat a large skillet over a medium-low heat. Add butter, shallots and garlic; sauté until shallots start to caramelize, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add parsley, sea salt and pepper, stirring once or twice. Add tomato paste and mix to form a paste. Cook for about 5 minutes, moving paste around pan occasionally; add vodka. Scrap bottom of pan with a wooden spoon and cook for about 5 minutes more.

* Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain.

* Add cream to tomato sauce; reduce heat to low and simmer for about 3 minutes. Add pasta to sauce and mix to coat; top with basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

Creamy Lemon Pie

POINTS® Value: 3
Servings: 10
Preparation Time: 15 min
Cooking Time: 15 min
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

6 whole reduced-fat cinnamon graham crackers
2 tbsp butter
11 oz fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 large egg(s)
1/2 cup(s) fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp lemon zest

# Preheat oven to 350ºF.

# Grind graham crackers in a food processor until fine, or place crackers in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin. Place crumbs in a small bowl.

# Melt butter on stove top or in microwave and pour over graham cracker crumbs, mixing with a fork until completely moistened. Press crumbs evenly onto bottom of a 9-inch pie pan; place crust in refrigerator while preparing lemon filling.

# Place condensed milk and eggs into a bowl and mix until smooth. Add lemon juice and zest and stir until incorporated. Pour milk mixture into prepared crust.

# Bake pie for 15 minutes. Cool completely, and freeze for up to two weeks before serving. For best flavor, serve chilled.