One of my favorite things

I started writing this post a month ago and am just finishing it now. Such is life with a five-month old baby!

Last night we made one of our favorite recipes - pasta with broccoli, sausage and blue cheese. It's an easy and quick recipe that is so delicious. And, this time it included our first harvest from the garden this season!

To make, first put on your water for pasta. Be to add a pinch or two of kosher salt.

Next finely dice one medium shallot (or half a yellow onion if you don't have a shallot) and mince a clove of garlic. Add the shallot and garlic to pan with about a tablespoon of olive oil.
Then add sausage (a half pound will do nicely for two people, and make sure it is a mild enough flavor that it won't clash with blue cheese!). Stir as-needed until sausage is browned and then set pan aside.

Chop broccoli florets and stem into bite-size pieces (if the outer layer of your broccoli is tough be sure to peel it off and use only the tender inside). Set broccoli aside.

Add pasta to water when it comes to a boil and cook it for the recommended time. When you have one minute remaining in your pasta cook time add the broccoli to your pasta water.

Before draining the pasta and broccoli, be sure to set aside a cup of the pasta water. Then strain pasta and broccoli. Add all of the ingredients - meat, broccoli, pasta, etc back into the pot you cooked the pasta in and stir on low heat until cheese melts. Pour in pasta water as-needed to thin sauce to a consistency of your liking and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve!