Perfect for potluck

This colorful dish fills all the requirements for what you need to bring to your next dinner party or other potluck affair. It only needs a few ingredients and so is easy to make; tastes good hot, room temperature or from the fridge; healthy, pretty to look at, and filling; leftovers taste great whether you leave them at the party or take 'em home with you.

RECIPE: Bow-tie pasta with broccoli and grape tomatoes

Ingredients:

1 box bow-tie or penne pasta, cooked according to package directions until al dente

1 bunch of broccoli, florets and tender part of the stems cut into bite-size pieces

3 T olive oil

2 packages grape or cherry tomatoes, left whole if larger than 1 1/2 inch, sliced in half otherwise

1-2 T minced garlic

1/4 cup prepared pesto

Salt and pepper, to taste

For serving: grated cheese

Instructions:

A couple of minutes after you've put the pasta in boiling water, add the broccoli. Drain when pasta is cooked to al dente (not mushy), and set aside.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add tomatoes and garlic, stir-frying until tomatoes start to soften, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, add pesto, and stir well.

Season with salt and pepper; add pasta/broccoli mixture and check seasonings, adding more salt and pepper to taste.