Heat a large skillet over moderate heat
Add oil, butter, garlic and shallots
Gently saut? shallots for 3 to 5 minutes to develop their sweetness
Add vodka to the pan (3 turns around the pan in a steady stream will equal about 1 cup)
Reduce vodka by half, this will take 2 or 3 minutes
Add chicken stock, tomatoes
Bring sauce to a bubble and reduce heat to simmer
Season with salt and pepper
While sauce simmers, cook pasta in salted boiling water until cooked to al dente (with a bite to it)
While pasta cooks, prepare your salad or other side dishes
Stir cream into sauce
When sauce returns to a bubble, remove it from heat
Drain pasta
Toss hot pasta with sauce and basil leaves
Pass pasta with crusty bread