Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know how to acquire a listing of real estate agents in Aroostook County. We are looking for a small farm in that area and I’m not sure how to go about it. Thank you for all your help. – No Name, Lewiston.

Answer:
Sun Spots checked in with the Office of Licensing and Registration in Augusta which notes that you may obtain a list of all those licensed by the Real Estate Commission here in Maine by contacting Susan Greenlaw at 624-8515 or via e-mail at susan.a.greenlaw@maine.gov. You may also write to the Maine Real Estate Commission at 35 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. The cost of the list is $10 and you can receive it via CD or electronically. Greenlaw should be able to assist you with this. The best of luck in your search for a small farm in The County!

Dear Sun Spots: Can you please tell me where I could write to Rachel Ray as I don’t have a computer? – Bethel Reader.

Answer:
Contact her at Rachael Ray, 132 E. 43rd Street, P.O. Box 543, New York, NY 10017. You and other fans might also be interested in locating Ray’s Web sites at www.rachaelraymag.com as well as www.rachaelrayshow.com.

Sun Spots was not familiar with her and was delighted to locate the following recipe posted online at the show’s site:

Winter vegetable curry AKA vegetable curry in a hurry ingredients: 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided, 1½ cups Basmati rice, 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock, divided, 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried, zest of 1 lemon, 1 teaspoon turmeric, 2 teaspoons coriander, 2 teaspoons cumin, ½ teaspoon cardamom, optional, 1 tablespoon butter, 1 medium onion, thinly sliced, 3 cloves garlic, chopped, 1 small head cauliflower, chopped, 1 firm eggplant, peeled and chopped (I peel away only half of the skin – I like the color and texture of a little of the black skin in this dish.) 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped, 1 14-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained, 1 15-ounce can chick peas, drained, salt and pepper, 3 slightly rounded tablespoons mild or hot curry paste, 3 rounded tablespoons mango chutney, 3 scallions, chopped, garnish, handful of cilantro or parsley, to garnish, toasted slivered almonds or pieces of cashew, garnish.

Method: Heat a medium pot over medium heat with olive oil. Add rice and toast a minute or two. Add 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock and the bay leaf, lemon zest, turmeric, coriander, cumin and cardamom. Cover pot and bring rice to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer rice 18 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork, remove bay leaf and add butter. Toss to coat the rice evenly, then serve.

While rice cooks, make the vegetables. Heat a deep nonstick skillet over medium high heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add onion, garlic, cauliflower, eggplant and bell pepper. Cover and cook stirring occasionally 7-8 minutes until tender. Uncover and add the tomatoes, chick peas, salt, pepper, curry paste, chutney and remaining 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock. Simmer 6-7 minutes longer.

Serve curry with scoops of rice on top – Rachael uses an ice cream scoop to portion it. If you put the rice on top, it will not get mushy. Garnish with scallions, cilantro or parsley and nuts. Yields 4 servings.

Dear Sun Spots: You do a wonderful job and have helped me time and again. A lady in Turner had a note in your Sun Spots column for B.C. and other boxtop points. I have misplaced the address. Could you please print it again? – F.C., Dixfield.

Answer:
In addition to responses from readers, Sun Spots believes you are seeking Laurie Labbe and the students at Turner Elementary School. You may send along your box tops to 5 Brookfield Estates, Turner, ME 04282 or call Labbe at 754-8170. The school is seeking tops from such products as General Mills cereals, El Paso Taco, Kleennex, Cottonelle and Betty Crocker products. You and other collectors might also consider mailing your box tops to: Calvary Christian Academy, 20 North Main St., Turner, ME 04282 or Crescent Park School, 19 Crescent Lane, Bethel, ME 04217.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be posted at www.sunjournal.com in the Advice section under Opinion on the left-hand corner of your computer screen. In addition, you can e-mail your inquiries to sunspots@sunjournal.com.


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