Dear Sun Spots: Help, please! My niece in Ireland is in need of a recipe for Bisquick/Jiffy mix. She is unable to buy such a mix there. Please call Terry at (207) 784-9453. Thank you very much. – Marie Gendron, Auburn.

Answer: Sun Spots spoke with Richard Conlon at Tesco supermarkets’ head offices in Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, Ireland, who says they don’t carry such a product. He says most of the American products they do carry are sporadic and tend to be seasonal. Conlon recommends that your niece consider contacting Odlum’s, Ireland’s favorite flour since 1845 when William Odlum opened his first mill in Portlaoise (then called Maryborough). They can be reached at Alexandra Road, Dublin 1, 8887500 or via e-mail at sales@odlums.ie.

Conlon also recommends you contact the U.S. Embassy, which may be able to assist you. They are located at 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, 6688777.

In addition, you might want to encourage your niece to try the following Web site where she can purchase American food: www.skyco.uk.com, by e-mail info@skyco.uk.com, phone 01932-565559, or via post at: SKYCO International Food Club (UK), 10 Twynersh Ave., Chertsey, Surrey, KT16 9DE. Sun Spots noted they have Betty Crocker Bisquick listed on their online list of products. Others are www.expatshopping.com, Expat Supplies Ltd, Unit 2, Bentley Park, Osbaldwick Link Road, Osbaldwick, York YO10 3JA, United Kingdom, +44 (0)1904-427774, e-mail sale at sales@expatshopping.com, and customer service: customerservices@expatshopping.com.

In the meantime, Sun Spots found the following recipe online at www.cooks.com:

Homemade Bisquick Mix. Ingredients: 10 cups all-purpose flour, 1/3 cup baking powder, ¼ cup sugar, 4 teaspoons salt, 2 cups of shortening that does not require refrigeration. Method: Combine all ingredients except shortening in large bowl. With pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight container, up to 6 months. Use as you would any other baking mix. Makes 12½ cups.

Biscuits – Ingredients: 2 cups mix, ½ cup milk. Method: Mix together. Turn onto floured board. Knead 10 to 12 times. Bake at 450 degrees for 12 minutes. Makes 10 biscuits.

Pancakes – Ingredients: 2 cups mix, 2 eggs, beaten, and 1 cup milk. Method: Combine all ingredients. Cook as you normally would.

Perhaps she will also enjoy this recipe found online at www.odlums.ie for Ham and Cheese Savory Pancakes:

Ingredients: 8 pancakes (from her pancake mix above); 250 grams/9 ounces broccoli, cut into small florets; 8 smoked ham slices; 250 grams/9 ounces whole Camembert (sliced); 25 grams/1 ounce cheddar cheese, grated; 4 tomatoes, roughly chopped. Method: Cook the broccoli in a large pan of boiling water for three minutes, until just tender. Drain and set aside. Prepare the pancakes (as per pancake instructions). To fill them, put a slice of ham over each pancake, then top with the broccoli. Cut the Camembert into thin slices and lay over the broccoli. Season with black pepper. Roll each pancake up like a cigar and lay in a single layer in a shallow ovenproof dish. Before baking, sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese and chopped tomatoes over the pancakes. Season with salt and pepper, and bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius/Gas Mark 6. Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese has melted.

Dear Sun Spots: Cindy in Oxford looking for a small dog: I have a 2-year-old terrier that I am looking to give away with cage and other things. No time for him. Great with kids. Please call me at (207) 939-2380. – Mindy Cote, Buckfield.

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