"Daer So and So..."

Today's Post is brought to you by Ocean Spray's Craisins and with the support of PBS viewers like you, who make such programs as America's Test Kitchen..

Meet Chris Kimbell... He's the host of the PBS weekend cooking program known as America's Test Kitchen. Among other things, Chef Kimbell and his staff like to compare brand names of corn muffin mix, kitchen gadgets and the many ways American's put their own spin on traditional dishes varying on their geographic location. They also welcome their viwers to write in with questions. In that particular segment, Chris puts on a blindfold and eats a pieve of Sara Lee cheesecake, a cheesecake purchased from the corner bakery, and a cheesecake made from scratch. Give him a minute and by golly, he'll tell you which one is which nefore ripping off his blindfold! Oooh, he's THAT good! He tells the audience not to be intimidated by making these things on your own. That's where I come in. Kimbell and his television staff are from the Boston area and seem well educated and classically trained in their culinary skills so why pray tell, would they take my stupid letter so seriously as to write back? Well, they did...

Approximately a week or so later, I received two responses: One by email and the other by "snail mail"...

"Dear America's Test Kitchen viewer:

We appreciate your taking the time to write us about the show and would be happy to assist in your request for help in preparing cranverry sauce. While it is possible to re-hydrate dried fruit for baking purposes, it is not advised to attempt soaking Ocean Spray Craisins for the purposes of making cranberry sauce. In fact, the attempt to accomplish this task is very time consuming and just isn't worth it. The ATK staff reccomends preparing the fresh variety of cranberries found in your grocer's produce aisle. The instructions for preparation are usually found near the nutritional information label on the package. We recommend you use this method as an easier alternative to what you have suggested in addition, your guests will appreciate the dish more due to it's freshness. Besides, it adds a personal touch to the holidays. Again, thank you for watching America's Test Kitchen!

Chris Kimbell

America's Test Kitchen

Perhaps a "no brainer" but never the less, I did manage to receive several manufacturer's coupons for a variety of Ocean Spray products which is good for the kidneys. Speaking of which, I gotta pee.