Red Butter Sauce for Pasta (Burro Rossa)

Mom tells me this is a great sauce for pasta. It looks it. Mom is usually right. - S. Badian, 1983

1 lb. pasta
1/2 lb. (2 sticks) sweet butter
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon leaf sage, crumbled or 1/4 teaspoon rubbed sage
1 1/2 teaspoon Hungarian sweet paprika
salt to taste
2 to 4 cloves of garlic, finely minced or pureed
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In top of double boiler over simmering water, melt butter. Whisk in tomato paste and cream. Crumble sage between your palms and add together with paprika, salt, and garlic. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan cheese and pour over pasta.

Makes 6 servings as a first course
Makes 6 to 8 servings as a side dish