Jicama, sometime called the Mexican potato, is a large, bulbous root vegetable. Beneath its thin brown skin is white, water-chestnut-textured flesh with a sweet flavor. Store it sealed in a plastic bag for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Remove the peel before using.

Paulette Mitchell, a culinary instructor, television personality, spokesperson, freelance food writer, and the award-winning author of 13 cookbooks, is known internationally for her quick-to-prepare recipes with gourmet flair. Paulette's most recently published cookbook is "The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet: Creative Cuisine Made Fast and Fresh." She is also the author of "A Beautiful Bowl of Soup" and "The Spirited Vegetarian," which was voted "Best Book in the World on Cooking with Wine" at the 2005 Gourmand World Media Awards. Paulette says that international travel is her favorite source of culinary inspiration.