Clean-the-Fridge-out Pasta Salad

I am a list person. I make list of errands, list of chores around the house, list of books to read, list of things to do. And then I go back and make a list of these lists. Despite my obsessive list making habit, one thing I do not try to list out is what vegetables to buy for the week. Usually when I go grocery shopping, I stop at both the Indian grocers and the super market, so I have a variety of in-season vegetables to choose from.
But, to make way for the new batch of vegetables, I need to clean out the veggie basket in my fridge by Friday. This recipe helps you clean out your fridge before your big vacation or grocery shopping. Everything goes and tastes good - no vegetable from your fridge will be out-of-place in this dish, except maybe eggplants.
As for the pasta, any shaped pasta that you would use in a pasta salad is a good bet here. I used  fusilli (corkscrew) here, but a farfalle or rotini would be good too.

Clean-the-fridge-out pasta with vegetables

Ingredients:

• shaped pasta, any kind - 1 lb 
• bell pepper, red - 1
• brocolli - 1/4 lb
• cremini mushroom - 1/4 lb
• garlic - 5 cloves
• italian seasoning - a dash
• salt, to taste
• fresh ground pepper, to taste
• grated parmesan cheese - 1/4 cup + as needed for garnish
• olive oil - 1 tbsp
• extra virgin olive oil - 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, wash and julienne the bell pepper.
3. Cut broccoli into small florets. Soak the florets in salted warm water for 5 minutes. Remove and let dry on a kitchen towel.
4. Wash the mushroom in a bowl of cold water. Remove from water and let dry . If you prefer to wipe the mushrooms clean with a kitchen towel and skip washing it, that is fine too.
5. Slice mushroom into bite-sized pieces.
6. Slice garlic into thin slivers.
7. Heat a saute pan on medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic. Saute until the garlic starts to soften. 
8. Before it turns brown, add the mushrooms. Fry the mushrooms until they turn brown and have shriveled.
9. Add the sliced bell pepper and sprinkle a little salt to encourage quick cooking.
10. Finally, add the broccoli florets. Do not cook the broccoli for too long. 
11. Add enough salt and pepper. Also add the Italian seasoning.
12. Remove the pan from fire and empty the contents into a mixing bowl.
13. When the pasta is ready, drain and ladle the pasta into the mixing bowl.
14. Pour a tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and stir to incorporate all flavors.
15. Mix 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese into this and stir once.
16. Serve warm or cold, with more Parmesan cheese on top.

Pasta salad with bell pepper, mushrooms and broccoli

Linking to:

Cook Like a Celebrity Chef event by Food Corner, 
Celebrate Women's Day for CupoNation
Nithu's page :
http://nivedhanams.blogspot.in/2013/03/healthy-foods-for-healthy-kids-italian.html