Pasta with Potatoes and Asparagus

Ingredients:

• 1 pound small to medium pasta
• 1 pound potatoes, diced
• 4 small tomatoes (campari, plum, vine-ripened), diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 5-8 cloves garlic, peeled and cracked
• Crushed red pepper, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• About 8 leaves fresh basil
• 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed and cut into thirds or quarters
• Approx. 1 cup chicken broth
• Romano Cheese
• extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Heat sauté pan over medium heat, add olive oil and 3 cloves of garlic. 
2. Saute garlic until lightly browned and then add the asparagus. 
3. Let cook for about 5 minutes or until tender, remove to a plate and set aside.
4. In the same pan add more oil, onions and garlic, sauté until onions are just about translucent. Add crushed red pepper and potatoes,
5. let cook for about 5 minutes and allow them to get some color. 
6. Add tomatoes, basil and stir; add chicken broth (just enough to come up the sides of the potatoes not completely cover) and cover,
7. let come to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender. 
8. Add more chicken broth if it gets too dry.
9. Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water.  Drain pasta and save some cooking water. 
10. Toss with potatoes, add reserved asparagus, and add pasta water until desired consistency is reached.  Top with grated romano cheese and serve!