I Tested AI Generated Recipes
Science & Technology
Introduction
Recently, there's been a buzz surrounding an AI chatbot known as ChatGPT, which acts as an interactive personal assistant. This innovative tool can engage in conversation, answer complex queries, and even generate text such as code, essays, music compositions, and recipes. As a content creator who has developed thousands of unique recipes over the years, I decided to evaluate this AI's capabilities by challenging it to create a three-course Vietnamese fusion meal. My objectives were to determine if the dishes would be tasty, if they showcased creativity akin to what a human might produce, and how well the AI could accommodate specific constraints I would set. Would AI take over culinary roles in the future? Let's delve into my experiment.
For the appetizer, I asked for a creative Vietnamese fusion dish. The AI's suggestion was Vietnamese spring rolls filled with grilled shrimp and mango. Although spring rolls are a common Vietnamese appetizer, the AI consistently returned to this suggestion whenever I prompted it for appetizer ideas. Nevertheless, I proceeded with this option, gathering key ingredients including cooked vermicelli noodles and large shrimp.
After seasoning and grilling the shrimp, I moved on to assembling the spring rolls. The AI provided a listing for the wrapper preparation and ingredient assembly, though it lacked certain nuanced tips I've learned through experience, such as the correct placement of the vermicelli and the importance of the wrapper's texture.
Next, I examined the suggested dipping sauce made from hoisin sauce and peanut butter. The AI's instructions overlooked essential components like lime juice and garlic that would improve the flavor profile, so I adapted the recipe accordingly.
Moving to the main course, I decided to throw the AI a curveball by providing it with random ingredients for a Vietnamese fusion dish. These included ground beef, sake, fennel seeds, gouda cheese, and gummy candies. Surprisingly, the AI produced a recipe for ground beef meatballs infused with those ingredients, offering a unique yet somewhat unconventional take on Vietnamese cuisine. While the gummy bears might have been an odd inclusion, the meatballs turned out flavorful, showcasing some of the AI's potential for creative combinations.
Lastly, I requested a Vietnamese-French dessert recipe. The AI suggested banana foster crepes, which evoked fond memories of similar desserts made by my grandmother. While I prepared the batter and the banana foster topping, I noted the AI's lack of detail in folding the crepes, a step that is traditionally included in many recipes.
After completing the three-course meal, I invited my mother, an esteemed Vietnamese food critic, to sample the dishes. She praised the spring rolls and expressed surprise at the tasty fusion meatballs, despite the gummy bears. The crepes also received positive feedback, although she suggested incorporating elements of Vietnamese cuisine, like coconut milk, for added authenticity.
Overall, the experience of testing these AI-generated recipes was both enjoyable and revealing. While the AI delivered some inventive ideas, many recipes could not achieve the depth or authenticity associated with traditional Vietnamese cooking. It reaffirmed my belief that the essence of cooking stems from human intuition, cultural context, and sensory experiences—attributes that AI has yet to fully replicate. That said, I believe that using AI can certainly serve as a creative springboard for culinary experimentation, perhaps even paving the way for an AI-generated cookbook in the future.
Keywords
AI, ChatGPT, recipes, Vietnamese cuisine, fusion food, cooking, spring rolls, meatballs, banana foster crepes, culinary creativity, food critic.
FAQ
Q: What inspired you to test AI-generated recipes?
A: With the growing popularity of AI tools like ChatGPT, I aimed to explore their ability to create unique culinary recipes and compare them against my own experiences.
Q: Were the AI-generated recipes authentic Vietnamese recipes?
A: While the AI provided some creative dishes, many did not capture the true essence of Vietnamese cuisine, particularly in the main course and dessert.
Q: How did your mother react to the AI-generated recipes?
A: As a Vietnamese food critic, my mother was impressed by the flavors but noted that some elements, such as the gummy bears in the meatballs, detracted from authenticity.
Q: Can AI effectively replace human chefs?
A: While AI can generate inventive ideas, the nuances of cooking and understanding cultural contexts are attributes that human chefs bring to the table, which AI has yet to replicate fully.
Q: Do you see potential in using AI for recipe creation?
A: Absolutely! AI can serve as an excellent tool for inspiration and creativity in the kitchen, enabling cooks to experiment with new ideas and flavors.
