reader recipes Calling for a range of recipes.(Flavor/Gracious Living)

Byline: BETTY DOUGLASS

by betty douglass

the virginian-pilot

You can tell fall is just around the corner because our mailbox for recipe requests is slightly crowded with varied new requests.

Cheryl Knick of Virginia Beach is looking for a shrimp recipe served at the Ships Cabin Bar & Grill in Norfolk. "I don't know if they still serve it or not, it's been years since I have had their delicious Shrimp-Bacon-Cheese appetizer. The shrimp were stuffed with cheese (goat cheese, I think) wrapped in bacon and brushed with barbecue sauce. " She continues: " At one time the Painted Lady Tea Room had an appetizer that was made with mushrooms and salty ham in a pastry dough. The last time I went (a year or so ago), I was disappointed that they no longer have it. "

Regina Robbins writes that "any help would be appreciated if we can find her the recipe for Eggplant Parmesan prepared the way Castaldi's Market & Grill in Norfolk makes it. This is the best preparation for this recipe I have ever tasted. Not only do they use the eggplant but they also use fresh spinach."

M. Bohlken is looking for a recipe for one her favorites from Chili's restaurant. "My husband and I have eaten at Chili's several times and always get their Veggie and Smoked Cheese Quesadillas," she said .

Lee Donovan of Norfolk goes to Smithfield for a special cake. " I know a lady who lives in Florida, who comes to Portsmouth about once a year to visit her sister. One of the things they absolutely must do while she's here is to go to the Smithfield Inn for lunch and hope to get a piece of their delicious Coconut Pineapple Cake. We asked for the recipe and were told that the recipe wasn't available, that the cake was made by a local woman and it takes two days to make the cake. Sadly, the last time we were there a couple of weeks ago, they told us they'd just sold their last pieces of the cake and won't be getting cakes from that lady anymore. Is there any way you can get this recipe? We've found a few recipes on the Internet, but they're just not the same."

Dana White-Jones of Chesapeake is looking for a special pizza recipe. "There used to be an Italian restaurant in the Wards Corner area of Norfolk called Regino's. They closed some time ago, but they had the best pizza. I don't know if the secrets were all in the recipe or the type of ovens they used, but I would love to have their recipe for the pepperoni pizza. The crust was light and bubbly, and I know they used a better grade of pepperoni. I still have cravings for their pizza. I have never found another restaurant in the Tidewater area to have the same pizza. Do you know of one?"

B. J. Surface has a request for a Smith & Welton sandwich. She said she didn't know the name of the sandwich, but it was a little spicy and was on toast. It had pimento cheese in it. She wants to surprise her mother with the recipe as it was one of her favorites. Note, it sounds like the Piquant Cheese recipe that we have printed on several occasions. Here it is again. Their fame lives on.

Mae Nuttycombe of Norfolk sent us a recipe for Polish Stew. She said it is not quite the one requested, however she makes it often for her family. It originally was from a copy of Better Homes & Garden magazine. The recipe suggests cooking in a slow cooker, but Nuttycombe says she often cooks it on the stove top.

Bonita McLane of Norfolk sent us two recipes for Shrimp Toast.

* If you have a recipe or need a recipe, write Reader Recipes, Flavor, The Virginian-Pilot, 150 W. Brambleton Ave., Norfolk, 23510 or fax to 446-2963. E-mail flavor@pilotonline.com. Include complete ingredient list and cooking directions. Please include your name, city and daytime phone number. Requests will not be accepted by phone. Recipes contributed by readers have not been tested by The Virginian-Pilot.