Recipe: Summer Pasta with Garden Tomatoes and Basil

I have to remember to take a picture of this the next time I make it!

This recipe is very simple and it makes a delicious meal. As with any dish that is simple, you must make sure you are using the most fresh and flavorful ingredients. Right now, we get the tomatoes and basil from our garden.

12 oz penne pasta
2 pints small (cherry ish) tomatoes - washed and whole (minus stems)
1/2 cup chicken broth (can be substituted with vegetable - I use the Trader Joe's broth packets that you add water to)
1 small bunch basil - leaves torn
Shredded parmesan cheese to taste
sea salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Additional Onion / Garlic Sauce if Desired:
3 cloves garlic - roughly minced
1 small white or red onion - sliced thin or thick, depending on your preference
1/4 cup chicken / vegetable broth

Put water on to boil. While water is heating, wash tomatoes and basil. If adding garlic / onion sauce do the following at this point:

1. Slice the onion
2. Pour about 1 tbsp olive oil into a pan
3. Over high heat, add the onions and caramelize it  (start high until well browned, lower to medium to simmer out the sugar)
4. Meanwhile, roughly mince the garlic
5. As onion approaches your desired level of caramelizing, add garlic and lower the temperature until garlic is sauteed
6. toss in broth, stir and simmer for another minute or two
7. Pull off stove and set aside to add to pasta later

BACK TO THE PASTA:
1. Cook pasta according to package directions
2. During last minute, pull out 1 cup boiling water from pot
3. Throw tomatoes into pasta water for last 10 seconds of cooking pasta
4. Drain pasta and tomatoes
5. Return to pot
6. Toss in a little olive oil to prevent sticking
7. Mix reserved pasta water with 1 packet broth mix from Trader Joe's (or bouillon cube)
8. Add broth to pasta & tomatoes*
9. Dish out food
10. Top pasta with torn basil and cheese (the basil wilts easily which is why you add it after plating)

*If you opted for the garlic / onion sauce, add here. If you are like me and are the only one who will eat onions and / or garlic in your family, you can toss your added sauce in after plating.

Other Ideas:
You can easily add leftover meats to this dish and completely change the flavor. I often make extra to use as a hold over a few days later with a meat as a "fresh" leftover meal.