Penne Ala Vodka and Smoked Salmon

12 ounces penne pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 whole shallot -- thinly sliced

4 whole Roma tomatoes -- seeded and chopped

2/3 cup whipping cream

pinch ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons fresh dill -- chopped

***OR*** 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/3 cup vodka

6 ounces smoked salmon -- cut into strips

white pepper sprig fresh dill

Cook pasta and drain well.

Heaqt oil in a wide frying pan over medium-low heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring often, until soft but not brown (about 3 minutes). Stir in chopped tomatoes, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream, nutmeg, choped dill and vodka. Increase heat to high and bring to a full boil. Boil for 1 minute.

Add pasta to sauce and mix lightly using 2 spoons, until pasta is well coated. Remove from heat, add salmon and mix lightly.

Season to taste with white pepper and garnish with dill springs.