DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for a recipe for deep-fried scallops like we get at Rowe’s takeout in Dixfield and many other seafood restaurants in Maine. It is crunchy, and it looks like they use corn meal? It is really good, and in the winter I like to cook them at home but they aren’t the same. I wonder if Rowe’s would give out their recipe or any other seafood place? Thanks. — No Name, No Town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: First, I would like to thank you for your helpful column. I read it every day and have picked up lots of useful information. I recently went to Olive Garden and had a dish called stuffed melanzana. I have checked online and have not found the recipe. I’d love to make it. It is made with fried eggplant and is stuffed with veggies and is topped with marinara sauce and cheese. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I would like a tried and true recipe for chocolate-covered cherries. Thanks again for your delightful column. — J. H., Jay

ANSWER: Sun Spots was unable to contact Rowe’s to ask them for their recipe, but restaurants in general are loathe to give out their recipes, and Sun Spots has had no luck getting anyone to offer them for publication. After all, if you can make all their favorite dishes at home, why would you ever go to their restaurant? They invest considerable amounts of time and money developing a recipe, so giving it away doesn’t make sense financially.

One good example of this appeared in the Sun Journal a couple of weeks ago when Mark Mogensen interview Ellen Magee for a Face Time feature in the Sunday B section. After Mary’s Candy in Lewiston closed, Ellen decided she wanted to make chocolate-covered cherries. Each batch called for expensive ingredients and hours of her time. After many attempts, Ellen said she has perfected her recipe and thinks her cherries are even better than the chocolate-covered cherries Mary’s used to sell. She’s not likely to give away the recipe now!

Fortunately, you are not completely out of luck if you are a chocolate-covered cherry aficionado. Ellen has now opened her own business, which you can visit at www.ellascandy.com. Or you can contact her at ella@ellascandy.com, 576-0478 or 784-2436.

There are thousands of recipes available online you can try, but Sun Spots can’t publish them without risking infringing their copyright. But you can look them up online yourself, or, if you don’t have a computer, ask your local public librarian for help. Sun Spots is also reasonably sure that some of the excellent cooks who read the column will write in to offer some scrumptious options.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding Ginny Celani’s request in Sun Spots on Feb. 17 for a gravy separator, Pampered Chef offers one. She can go online to order it at www.pamperedchef.com for $22.50. I’m sure she could also locate a consultant in her area by going online. — Eileen Estes

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I was wondering if you could find out if anyone still carries the canned Black Pearl burgundy olives. I’ve seen the burgundy spicy ranchero flavor, but haven’t been able to get the regular burgundy ones for some time. Thank you. — Leeds Reader

ANSWER: Sun Spots perused the Web site for Musco brand olives (www.olives.com), where they indicated that soon you would be able to buy their olives online. In the meantime, Sun Spots called several local groceries. Dave at the Hannaford on Sabattus Street said they carry burgundy olives, but not the brand you requested. At the Auburn Shaw’s, she spoke to Peter, who also said they don’t carry that brand. Peter also said that olives are a very seasonal food, with increased sales over the holiday season and into the SuperBowl, but then dropping off as spring arrives. Sun Spots encourages anyone looking for a specific food item to talk to the store manager. They may be able to help you. And your request, along with that of other patrons, might even help to tip the balance if they are trying to decide whether to stock something in their store.

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). Please include your phone number. 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 e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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