That brings to mind a scene that’s existed in my head for several years. I don’t know if Star Trek has ever done it, but it could probably be adapted to most versions of the show, and if I ever had the chance to write a Star Trek script I’d include it.
Near the beginning of the episode, Spock visits McCoy in his office to discuss a minor issue and finds him at his desk, unhappily eating a plate of food while six identical portions sit around the table. Spock comments that he can contact maintenance if the replicator is malfunctioning, but Bones explains that when he was a boy his grandma made the best darn home cooking you ever tasted, and he’s been longing for her chicken and dumplings, but the replicator just can’t get them right. Spock comments that he finds humans’ nostalgic attachments to food fascinating, but before McCoy can complain about being studied like a lab rat, plot starts happening and they’re both called to the bridge.
Later in the episode, while the Enterprise is dealing with its problem of the week, Kirk asks for a systems update, and in between technobabble Sulu mentions that the replicators on Deck 17 have been drawing an unusual amount of power.
Later, in the final scene, Spock is joining McCoy for a meal. McCoy goes to order but Spock insists on ordering for both of them - and gives the replicator a lengthy description of the food he wants, including measurements in grams and milligrams and specific lengths of simulated cooking time, and seconds later the replicator spits out two plates of chicken and dumplings.
McCoy says something like “Now what in the Sam Hill was that?” Spock responds “Following our previous conversation on the subject of chicken and dumplings, I consulted several texts in the ship’s database regarding primitive Earth cooking and ingredients and methods traditional to the American South. Using this information I replicated 837 variations of chicken and dumplings in an attempt to identify the optimal combination of ingredients, proportions, and cooking methods that would comprise what you refer to as ‘the best darn home cooking you ever tasted’. I believe you will find this permutation satisfactory.”
McCoy lectures Spock that he doesn’t get it and true home cooking comes from the heart and not a computer, but Spock insists he try it. He does so and a grudging smile comes over his face. “I think grandma used more pepper,” he says, “but this isn’t half-bad either. What do you call it?”
“During trials I referred to this permutation as Specimen 28-Delta.”
“That’ll never do. How about chicken a la Spock?”
“If you insist, Doctor.”