OMG the “orange peels” and “2 cups of Red chili paste”…I died laughing! Although to be fair I put 2 Tbsp of red chili flakes instead of 2 tsps in a recipe and had a bit of a ZING when I tasted it!🙄🫣. And then thought, “where the hell is my brain?”😆
It's the bean soup comment! Apparently it's become it's own description of a situation already but it was that person that got really upset because they came across a recipe for bean soup and couldn't eat bean and wanted to know how to adapt it. Like, it's fine if something isn't for you. I think they used something random like aubergine or something instead.
Thank you, Nica! So happy you enjoyed! Some of the mistakes people make in the kitchen are pretty priceless, and I like when they decide to share them for our entertainment too (even though it’s often unclear how those mistakes are recipe writers’ fault). lol.
The chilli paste one... she cooked the meal she deserved! Thank you so much for writing this! Instances that spring to mind is the Twitter pile in I had for putting carrots in the Norwegian fiskesuppe recipe I wrote for a publication (every single fiskesuppe I've had in Norway, across two trips about a decade apart in very different parts of the country contained carrots) and all the people who leave negative Amazon reviews on my cookbooks because the book arrived damaged. Oh, and the commenter who complained too many recipes in my book started with softening an onion.
Ha, she definitely did! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post and I love your examples! Why do people feel the need to rate you based on the condition of the book—see that all the time! (And clearly they don’t get what those ratings are for!). And also laughing about the onion complainer…do they not like food with flavor?! 😂
Yes, yes and YES! If you don't already do this, it is a must. It has saved me from making some flops and helped me make adjustments that I prefer. Great post Kerry!
Kerry this is gold!! Reading the comments—whether on a recipe or an article—is always part of the fun and learning. My favourite is the “I changed everything and hated it” kind of reviewer. Your pull outs nailed the good, the bad and the just plain ridiculous 😂
Thanks Elizabeth! I always learn a lot from the good comments too! And then I wonder what compels people to change everything in a recipe and blame the creator for their bad choices…but appreciate the entertainment! 😂
This is such a great roundup! One of my favorite comments is on the NYT oven roasted chicken shawarma. I think it's the top comment and the writer thought they were just leaving a personal note, but their recommendation totally levels-up the recipe!
Haha, this made me laugh out loud! I absolutely love constructive feedback. (Don't get me wrong, I love praise too.) While I do test my recipes multiple times, I am one person, in one kitchen. So, it's great to hear how other home bakers get on.
I repeat, constructive, though. Some of those unhelpful comments are so funny.
LOL! Those unhelpful comments were just hilarious! I think NY Times has an IG page devoted to recipe comments (and they are laugh out loud funny). Great, great post on how comments help both the creator and home cooks!
Thanks for sharing the article—sadly can’t read it bc I let my subscription lapse 2 years ago, but I’m sure it’s hilarious!! Funny recipe commentary is great entertainment!
I love this, Kerry! The best are when people are surprised of a bad outcome when they’ve changed everything and blame you🤣I once had someone make a recipe with just 2 of 5 ingredients and then give it one star (said they would give it less if they could)🤦♀️
Aw thanks Beth! ☺️ And I know, isn’t it crazy that people expect to get a similar result when they literally change everything? And then it somehow becomes your fault too?! 🤣
OMG the “orange peels” and “2 cups of Red chili paste”…I died laughing! Although to be fair I put 2 Tbsp of red chili flakes instead of 2 tsps in a recipe and had a bit of a ZING when I tasted it!🙄🫣. And then thought, “where the hell is my brain?”😆
But even the best of us make those crazy mistakes too!! 🤣
I know, right?! It’s so funny the things people do—and then decide to share with everyone/ pass blame on! . 😂
It's funny Kerry - I always read the comments attached to the NYTimes recipes and I find them enormously helpful for all the reasons you say.
And I learned from one of their recipe writers that they find the comments helpful as well.
Thanks for giving voice to this topic!
Thanks for reading, Anne! I’m happy this resonated with you! :)
Haha I love this!! I love when commenters catch something I didn't (or cooking class participants - that happens too) also...mcsweeneys hit the nail on the head with this one https://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-didnt-follow-the-recipe-and-im-appalled-it-turned-out-so-awful
Thanks Rachel! :) And that article is spot on—had a good laugh reading it!!
OMG Rachel that article is hilarious! 😂😂😂
I love mcsweeneys
The humor is right up my alley, need to follow!
It's the bean soup comment! Apparently it's become it's own description of a situation already but it was that person that got really upset because they came across a recipe for bean soup and couldn't eat bean and wanted to know how to adapt it. Like, it's fine if something isn't for you. I think they used something random like aubergine or something instead.
Haha, I always think, why bother making it if you don’t like the main ingredient?! Pretty funny!
I love this!!!
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed! And thanks for letting me share your story—I’m still chuckling about the absurdity of the comment! 🤣
Omg those reviews are priceless. Read a few out loud to my husband (who does not cook at all) and even his eyes got wide at the chili paste one.
Thank you, Nica! So happy you enjoyed! Some of the mistakes people make in the kitchen are pretty priceless, and I like when they decide to share them for our entertainment too (even though it’s often unclear how those mistakes are recipe writers’ fault). lol.
The chilli paste one... she cooked the meal she deserved! Thank you so much for writing this! Instances that spring to mind is the Twitter pile in I had for putting carrots in the Norwegian fiskesuppe recipe I wrote for a publication (every single fiskesuppe I've had in Norway, across two trips about a decade apart in very different parts of the country contained carrots) and all the people who leave negative Amazon reviews on my cookbooks because the book arrived damaged. Oh, and the commenter who complained too many recipes in my book started with softening an onion.
Ha, she definitely did! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post and I love your examples! Why do people feel the need to rate you based on the condition of the book—see that all the time! (And clearly they don’t get what those ratings are for!). And also laughing about the onion complainer…do they not like food with flavor?! 😂
Thanks for reading all of these, and the laughs from your compilations!
Yes, yes and YES! If you don't already do this, it is a must. It has saved me from making some flops and helped me make adjustments that I prefer. Great post Kerry!
Thanks so much Kalee for reading and sharing! So happy it resonated. ☺️
Kerry this is gold!! Reading the comments—whether on a recipe or an article—is always part of the fun and learning. My favourite is the “I changed everything and hated it” kind of reviewer. Your pull outs nailed the good, the bad and the just plain ridiculous 😂
Thanks Elizabeth! I always learn a lot from the good comments too! And then I wonder what compels people to change everything in a recipe and blame the creator for their bad choices…but appreciate the entertainment! 😂
This is such a great roundup! One of my favorite comments is on the NYT oven roasted chicken shawarma. I think it's the top comment and the writer thought they were just leaving a personal note, but their recommendation totally levels-up the recipe!
Thanks Meredith! ☺️ Just saw the comment on the shawarma and agree that is one of those perfect notes that takes the recipe up a notch!
Haha, this made me laugh out loud! I absolutely love constructive feedback. (Don't get me wrong, I love praise too.) While I do test my recipes multiple times, I am one person, in one kitchen. So, it's great to hear how other home bakers get on.
I repeat, constructive, though. Some of those unhelpful comments are so funny.
Yes totally agree! :) But I do think there’s an art to constructive feedback that some people definitely need to understand better! 😂
Oh absolutely!! 💯 agree that constructive feedback is an art.
LOL! Those unhelpful comments were just hilarious! I think NY Times has an IG page devoted to recipe comments (and they are laugh out loud funny). Great, great post on how comments help both the creator and home cooks!
Thanks Betty!! :) I need to check out the NYT IG page on this—I’m sure I’d love!
I don’t know if it is as active anymore but they’ve posted some real doozies in the past!
Yes! I often read recipe comments, and find them so helpful to tweak measurements or directions to my preferences. Comments also can make for fantastic entertainment. This New Yorker article is case in point of that. :) https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/totally-normal-comments-for-online-recipes
yes!! 🙌
Thanks for sharing the article—sadly can’t read it bc I let my subscription lapse 2 years ago, but I’m sure it’s hilarious!! Funny recipe commentary is great entertainment!
I love this, Kerry! The best are when people are surprised of a bad outcome when they’ve changed everything and blame you🤣I once had someone make a recipe with just 2 of 5 ingredients and then give it one star (said they would give it less if they could)🤦♀️
Aw thanks Beth! ☺️ And I know, isn’t it crazy that people expect to get a similar result when they literally change everything? And then it somehow becomes your fault too?! 🤣