Farfalle Al Salmone Affumicato (Pasta With Smoked Salmon Cream) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces farfalle pasta (or pasta of your choice)
8 ounces smoked salmon, cut into julienne strips
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons vodka
1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream
4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper (or more)
freshly-grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

Preparation

Cook the pasta in lots of boiling, salted water until dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, saute garlic in butter over medium heat for 2 minutes, careful not to let the garlic brown or burn. Add vodka and cook a further minute or so for alcohol to evaporate. Add half and half and cream cheese and whisk until the cream cheese has melted into the sauce. Add the pepper and simmer for 2 minutes.
Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and all of the smoked salmon. Keep tossing and cooking the pasta in the sauce for 1-2 minutes so that the pasta absorbs some of the sauce, but is still coated in a 'runny' and creamy sauce.
Garnish at table with freshly-grated parmegiano-reggiano cheese and more freshly-cracked black pepper, as desired.