# Recipe variations that ruin a dish for you **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2017, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676 "2017-08-25T18:54:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/121 "2017-08-28T19:20:40Z")
> [@Dropo](#): > > Mushrooms… ewww! Fungus is not food. Would you eat Athlete’s Foot? Of course not! It’s vile and disgusting. Mushrooms added to anything only means extra work removing them. I wholeheartedly agree! There is no taste, just a slimy-ness. I think of slugs when I see mushrooms in food. I don’t want them in anything. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/122 "2017-08-28T20:13:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Fettucine alfredo should _never_ be made with cream. You can make pasta with cream sauce, but don’t call it alfredo. Alfredo is butter, cheese, and a bit of spice, tossed with the pasta so it all blends together. If you’re going to go orthodox you have to drop the spice as well. Just pasta, Butter and cheese. Personally I would be shocked and disappointed if they don’t use the cream and garlic, and I don’t think I have ever seen it served anywhere without the cream, that isn’t a variation, it is the standard. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/123 "2017-08-28T22:50:30Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Odd to get worked up over a side item. I mean, don’t put the jam ON the Monte Cristo, but in a cup on the side. Take it or leave it. It’s not even like a deli pickle that can leave its flavor on a sandwich by proximity. I’ve seen it served with the jam/syrup/powdered sugar on the sandwich. That’s why I fight the notion that the sandwich is supposed to be sweet. Restaurants should be kept aware that sweetness is just an option some people want not the default. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2017, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/124 "2017-08-28T23:09:32Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > If you’re going to go orthodox you have to drop the spice as well. Just pasta, Butter and cheese. > > Personally I would be shocked and disappointed if they don’t use the cream and garlic, and I don’t think I have ever seen it served anywhere without the cream, that isn’t a variation, it is the standard. [Here’s an article for those interested](http://www.saveur.com/article/Kitchen/The-Real-Alfredo), and a link at the bottom to the original recipe (just three ingredients: dried fettucini, butter, parmesan reggiano.) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/125 "2017-08-29T06:08:01Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > If you’re going to go orthodox you have to drop the spice as well. Just pasta, Butter and cheese. When I say spice, I just mean salt and pepper. If Parmiggiano-Reggiano is unavailable or too expensive, I’ll add a dash of nutmeg. > [@pulykamell](#): > > Interesting. I’ve never had an Italian sub with pepperoni (and I’m not even sure I’ve ever even seen one.) Some spicy sopressata or hot capicola, maybe. Regardless, if your sandwich is lacking spice and flavor, it’s not the fault of the lack of pepperoni. An Italian sub made with quality meats packs a flavor punch. Hell, just a plain salami sandwich is plenty flavorful, if you use some good salami. And don’t you dare ruin my prosciuttio and mozzarella sub by adding anything else! 😉 Sopressata would be good, but you just don’t see it in delis around here. You need at least _one_ spicy meat, though. If all you’ve got is salami and capicola and prosciutto, it’s too mild for my taste unless you pile on the hot peppers. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/126 "2017-08-29T06:38:12Z")
Vanilla in French toast dip. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/127 "2017-08-29T07:32:19Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > A Cobb Salad must contain: > > chicken > bacon > eggs > blue cheese > avocado > Substitutions are not allowed. Where do you stand on the “Cobb salad has fried chicken on it” debate. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/128 "2017-08-29T14:39:48Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > Sweet potatoes are great. > > Sweet potatoes with a layer of marshmallow on top is just wrong. Hear, hear \ Sweet potatoes are sweet enough, though a bare sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon [and I do mean a bare sprinkle, like an overlarge pinch to a 9x9 pan] is just enough to flash the sweet. Though I did have a batch with cinnamon and the large crystal crunchy salt [can’t swear to it having been the French stuff, could have been large flake kosher for all I know] that was really good, the little pop of salty to the sweet of the sweet potato was quite good. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/129 "2017-08-29T14:41:38Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > When I say spice, I just mean salt and pepper. If Parmiggiano-Reggiano is unavailable or too expensive, I’ll add a dash of nutmeg. > > Sopressata would be good, but you just don’t see it in delis around here. You need at least _one_ spicy meat, though. If all you’ve got is salami and capicola and prosciutto, it’s too mild for my taste unless you pile on the hot peppers. Sounds like you’d love some Chicago style giardiniera! Gives every sub an extra zip and crunch! Even makes a Subway sandwich edible. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/130 "2017-08-29T15:31:21Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > Where do you stand on the “Cobb salad has fried chicken on it” debate. Cobb salad does not have fried chicken in it, and anytime I’ve seen a salad with fried chicken it’s been identified on the menu as a fried chicken salad. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/131 "2017-08-29T16:21:02Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > Cobb salad does not have fried chicken in it, and anytime I’ve seen a salad with fried chicken it’s been identified on the menu as a fried chicken salad. I have never even heard of Cobb salad having fried chicken. I’m intrigued by the idea, though. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/132 "2017-08-29T17:58:03Z")
Lots of raisin hate in this thread. I’m fine with cutting the raisins from most things, but properly-plumped raisins elevate bread pudding from “awesome” to “slap-yo-momma awesome”. I’m also not a mushroom fan, although the flavor is sometimes okay. But biting into a mushroom? No. I actually committed a variation violation myself not long ago: I used low-sodium soy sauce to make fried rice. Didn’t have nearly enough salty flavor. I should’ve just used the regular stuff. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/133 "2017-08-29T18:11:16Z")
Wow. Every single thing getting thumbs down in this thread is something I’d be happy eating. ---
**Author:** ![brainstall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@brainstall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brainstall)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/134 "2017-08-29T19:38:32Z")
Raspberry coulis. Nothing worse than anticipating a delicious slice of chocolate cake for dessert, only to have it served with a drizzle of raspberry crap. Add me to the list of raisin haters, too. ---
**Author:** ![OffByOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/45deac/32.png) [@OffByOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OffByOne)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/135 "2017-08-29T20:02:19Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > Chicken Fried steak has white gravy not brown, not red, white. This is a non-negotiable feature. And it should be called “Chicken Fried Steak!” WTH is “Country Fried” anyway? ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/136 "2017-08-29T22:38:41Z")
> [@OffByOne](#): > > … WTH is “Country Fried” anyway? Yeah, it sounds like it was fried in squirrel or Possum fat or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/137 "2017-08-29T22:53:27Z")
I always thought “chicken-fried” meant white gravy and “country-fried” meant brown gravy, but this appears to just be a Texas thing and not nation-wide. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/138 "2017-08-30T02:46:21Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I won’t be able to put my finger on this one, because I’m not really sure the proper way to prepare this dish but … Chicken Tikka Masala. > > I saw it prepared on some food show or another - maybe Guy Fee-Eddy - I it sounded and looked delicious. I’d heard of it, but never seen it before. Sounded interesting. I found some Tikka Masala simmer sauce and gave it my best shot and it was really good, but I wanted it prepared like it’s supposed to be prepared. So I ordered some take-out from the one Indian restaurant in my town and I don’t know what the fuck I got. The sauce was some weird beige color and I got three souffle cups with some esoteric sauces that I had no idea what to do with. I started doing some dipping and then I figured maybe I was suppose to dump it all together and goulash that shit. Wasn’t a good idea. > > Anyway, I still haven’t had it proper, just my shitty simmer sauce version. Here’s a solid recipe: > **[Chicken Tikka Masala, from Cook's Illustrated Recipe](https://www.keyingredient.com/recipes/105082/chicken-tikka-masala-from-cooks-illustrated/)** > > This Chicken Tikka Masala is a moderately spicy dish, that sounds "Indian" but really originated in the U.K. Served over rice, this is a wonderful and different dish. About the only tweak I’d recommend would be to use equal amounts of garlic and ginger- between the ginger, tomatoes and small amount of sugar, it comes out almost sweet. Balancing the garlic and ginger makes it a bit more savory. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/139 "2017-08-30T04:02:19Z")
For me, any meat/egg substitute. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676/140 "2017-08-30T14:37:17Z")
> [@Max\_Torque](#): > > Lots of raisin hate in this thread. I’m fine with cutting the raisins from most things, but properly-plumped raisins elevate bread pudding from “awesome” to “slap-yo-momma awesome”. > > I’m also not a mushroom fan, although the flavor is sometimes okay. But biting into a mushroom? No. > > I actually committed a variation violation myself not long ago: I used low-sodium soy sauce to make fried rice. Didn’t have nearly enough salty flavor. I should’ve just used the regular stuff. If you like mushroom flavir, try Townsend’s [mushroom catsup recipe](https://savoringthepast.net/2016/04/13/mushroom-ketchup/), once you squeeze out the liquid and bottle it, he proposes drying the mushroom residue and using the powder as a seasoning. > [@Superdude](#): > > For me, any meat/egg substitute. I admit, I prefer eating critters, but I do like seitan, tempeh and tofu - but as themselves, not because i feel the need to replace a chunk of dead something. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recipe-variations-that-ruin-a-dish-for-you/794676.md?page=8)