DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m a volunteer with Rebuilding Together Lewiston/Auburn and wondering if you could help us with finding homes to renovate this year. The nonprofit organization is supported entirely by contributions of time, labor, material and money. We are dedicated to repairing homes of those who, due to financial hardship, age and/or disability, cannot do the work themselves. Skilled and unskilled volunteers alongside able-bodied members of the recipient’s family and friends complete the repairs at no cost to the homeowner.
The work is conducted on one weekend every year. This year’s Rebuilding Day is May 7. Applications will be accepted until March 31. They can be submitted through email. They can also be downloaded at www.rebuildingtogetherla.org. For information, contact [email protected].
Volunteers are also needed and those interested may use the email address above, or call 344-3232. — Russ, no town
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I bought a large split chicken breast with the skin on that weighs almost five pounds. I’m serving it to company and need to know how best to bake it, at what temperature, how long, and what to put on it, if anything. One of my guests is on a gluten-free diet. — No name, no town
ANSWER: The easiest, most delicious way I know to cook chicken breasts is by giving it the old Marjorie Standish treatment from Cooking Downeast.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels then season it all over with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Place a stick (1/2 cup) of butter and one peeled whole onion in a Dutch oven or other large baking dish with a lid. Place the chicken breasts skin side down on top of the butter and onion. Cover and bake for 5 hours at 250 degrees or for 4 hours at 300 degrees.
The chicken will be browned and juicy and there will be lovely drippings in the pot to make naturally gluten-free gravy by using cornstarch to thicken.
Serve with mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, and homemade cranberry sauce. It’s as close as you can get to the taste of a Thanksgiving dinner without all the fuss.
Perhaps other readers have equally delicious gluten-free chicken dinner recipes to share!
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to submit my recipe for sour cream raisin pie. The recipe is very easy and I have made it many times. I use two store-bought 9-inch pie crusts. This is delicious!
Sour Cream Raisin Pie: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Chop 1 cup seedless raisins and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup sugar (less can be used), 1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon each ground cloves and cinnamon.
In a separate bowl, beat 1 egg. …….