I bought some sort of bulbs at a produce market in Chinatown (San Francisco, in case region provides a clue) today, thinking they might be large-ish, pale fresh water chestnuts.  Upon getting them home and cutting into/tasting one, they're definitely not--they're really unpalatably bitter, at least in this raw state.  Any clues? I can't even begin to look for recipes or how to cook them until I figure out what they are. ( a picture )

And incidentally, anyone have good recipes for lotus root?

I'm eating these right now:

1 tsp of chopped ginger
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 chopped portabello mushroom
1/3 of a brick of firm tofu, finely chopped.

mix in a dish, add a dash of olive oil, sea salt, pepper and steak spice.

Stuff into peppers and bake for 30 minutes at 350, or until droopy.

1 quart of Potato Peel Broth  2-3 bunches or broccoli, or one bag of frozen broccoli 1/2 gallon milk 1 small onion pepper and salt to taste Saute the onion in butter or olive oil.  Add the potato peel broth and bring to a rolling boil.  Add broccoli, boil broccoli in potato peel broth until soft, then add the milk.  Boil down for 2-3 hours, season with pepper and salt to taste.

Mazurek
Adapted from Anna Thomas's The Vegetarian Epicure.

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsps vanilla extract
1 cup milk or cream
1 cup currants
1 cup dates
add cinnamon to your own taste

Combine dry ingredients in bowl, then add the egg, butter, and cream. Add the vanilla and almond extracts. Fold the currants and dates into the batter.

Bake at 350 for at least 40 minutes.

I made this as cupcakes, as I'm travelling over the holidays and have had far better experiences traveling with muffins or cupcakes than I have had with cake, however, you're supposed to make this in a bundt pan.

Glaze

Mix confectioner's sugar together with warm water diluted orange juice.

Hello all!

I've always wanted to try stuffed squash but never have. Butternut squash has always been my favorite, so I'm wondering if any of you can provide some simple, not too fancy or expensive but yummy recipe ideas for dinner for my dad and me tonight? We're trimming the tree and I thought it would be nice to surprise him with a nice sit-down dinner which we haven't had together in probably a year.

Thanks in advance!

Also: More complicated recipes are also welcome if you think they are worth trying. I don't necessarily have to try them tonight!

I'm in dire search of the absolute best white chocolate macadamia nut cookie recipe.... anyone? Anyone??

I've never made these before, but its by last minute special request to ship to my best friend for the holidays. HELP!!!!