We love looking at the podcast stats to see all the countries where people are downloading Sporkful. Nearly all countries have some listeners, though we're not holding our breath on a big North Korean following.
We see a surprising amount of downloads from Iraq and Afghanistan. Since we don't broadcast in Arabic, Pashto or Dari, we're pretty sure many of them are American troops. We heard from a service member abroad recently, and he's interested in some tips from you.
J is an Air Force flight instructor currently serving in Iraq, while his wife Robyn, also an instructor pilot, is stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi:
I love listening to your show out here. My wife also listens back home. We can talk about it like we heard it together... My father-in-law sent me a bottle of vindaloo seasoning. This has been a savior... What one seasoning would you take to a desert island (of bland food)?
J says he's got nothing against the mess hall staff, but he's definitely a guy who likes bigger flavor than they provide sometimes. Here's where you come in with your tips. What are your favorite sauces or seasonings to punch up a dish? One qualification, though: it needs to be shelf stable, so it can be shipped overseas and stored without refrigeration. Me, I'd probably go with Sriracha, since it's versatile and has real flavor to go with its heat. What say you, military and civilian Sporkful listeners? Hungry troops are counting on you! /mark
Photo: Flickr CC / 29233640@N07
