Pasta Broccoli

Pasta Broccoli
Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups of dry pasta(bow tie, spirals shells any kind you like)
• 1 head of broccoli (cut into the smaller flower lets, sliced pretty large)
• 1/8 cup of chopped basil(optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 small red onion sliced lengthwise
• 1 clove of diced garlic(optional)
• 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper
• 1 tsp of dry Italian spices(mixed variety)
• 1/2 tsp of hot chili sauce(optional)
• 1 sliced jalapeno pepper(optional)
• 1/4 cup of olive oil

Method:
Boil 4 cups of water, add 1 tsp salt and pasta. Continue to cook for about 10 minutes till pasta is is 3/4 cooked. Add the broccoli florets and boil for 1 minute. Drain all the water, reserving about 1/4 cup or so with the pasta and set it aside. In a separate pan add the olive oil, garlic, jalapeno peppers and onion. Cook on medium heat, tossing/flipping the contents (try not to use the spatula) using the pans handle till the onion looks slightly brown. Add the ground pepper, Italian spices, 1/2 tsp salt and the cooked pasta/broccoli with the water. Turn off the heat and add the hot chili sauce, basil and toss well with a spatula.
Cooking tips:
Can add sauteed sliced mushrooms.
Serving Tips:
Serve hot with garlic bread.
Serve cold as salad: Once the pasta broccoli has cooled, add 2 tbs of Italian dressing, toss some cherry tomatoes, green/black pitted olives and serve as salad. Imagination is the limit to make other variations of this salad.