It's cold out, so it's nice after a long week to have something delicious and comforting, but just a little bit different. Putting Anaheim peppers in my macaroni and cheese added great color and flavor. You can serve this as a side dish, but in my house it was a full meal for two. Since I added vegetables to the macaroni and cheese, it's health food, right? 

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

2 cups milk

I really enjoy mizuna, sometimes called Japanese mustard greens. You could chop it up and add it to your salad, but it doesn't take much to turn the raw green into a nice, hot side dish. I like this reci

1 bunch mizuna, about 10 ounces

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

1 teaspoon fish sauce (or ponzu)

1/4 lemon, fresh

salt to taste, about 1/4 teaspoon

freshly ground pepper

Procedures

1. Wash and drain mizuna. Roughly chop into 1-inch segments and set aside.

Fall flavors abound in this Yam and Apple Bake, a recipe that a friend passed along the other day, that her family has enjoyed for many years. Perfect for when you look at your pantry full of CSA yams and apples and think, what now?

4 medium-sized yams, cubed

2 apples, peeled, cored and cubed

¼ c finely chopped onion

¼ c brown sugar, firmly packed

½ tsp dried marjoram (can substitute with sage or oregano)

2 Tbsp butter or margarine

1/3 c water

3 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

¼ lb. Cheddar cheese, grated (1 c)

Pakchoi/bok choi are among the vegetables I look forward to receiving most during the season. I love the flavor, and the satisfying crunch if they are cooked just right. I love to combine them with mushrooms in this easy recipe, perfect for a quick side on busy nights.

Pakchoi and Mushroom Saute

1 lb. pakchoi, root end removed, stems and leaves cut into 1-inch pieces

1 lb. mushrooms of your choice, sliced

1 tablespoon garlic-flavored olive oil

salt and pepper

optional flavor enhancers: 1 tsp. sesame oil or fish sauce