Ask any American what their favorite part of a Christmas dinner is and you’ll here a wide range of answers.
Many families see the turkey or roast ham as the true centerpiece of the meal, while others drool over side dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes or green beans.
However, DailyMail.com asked Google’s Bard artificial intelligence chatbot to draw on the near-limitless data it has access to and give us a definitive ranking.
And the star of the show was rather surprising.
Ask any American what their favorite part of a Christmas dinner is and you’ll here a wide range of answers. But we didn’t ask any American, we asked AI
In most cognitive tests, Bard outperforms GPT-4, which powers ChatGPT.
Microsoft’s bot can tell users when an omelet is cooked, suggest the best design for a paper airplane or help a football player improve their skills.
Now, it has revealed the perfect Christmas dinner in the US.
Gemini Pro was asked to select the best dishes for a Christmas meal, explain the choices and offer more detail on the winner.
In the number-one spot is cranberry sauce, with Bard stating: ‘Cranberry sauce might seem like a surprising choice, but its unique combination of qualities makes it the true champion of the American Christmas meal!’
The chatbot continued, explaining its reasons for its choice, ‘Complementary Flavor: Its tartness cuts through the richness of the turkey, gravy, and stuffing, providing a refreshing counterpoint and preventing palate fatigue.
‘Festive Color: The vibrant red hue adds a pop of color to the plate, making the whole meal visually appealing and festive.
‘Symbolism: Cranberries are native to North America and a food source for indigenous peoples during winter.
‘They represent the traditional roots and cultural significance of the holiday.
Versatility: Cranberry sauce can be enjoyed plain, with turkey, or even used as a base for chutneys or sauces. Its adaptability makes it a welcome addition to any dish.
Gemini Pro was asked to select the best dishes for a Christmas meal, explain the choices and offer more detail on the winner
‘Emotional Connection: For many, the taste of cranberry sauce evokes childhood memories of Christmas dinners and cherished family moments. This sentimental value adds another layer of significance to its presence on the table.
‘So, while every ingredient on this list plays a crucial role in creating a delicious and festive Christmas meal, cranberry sauce, with its unique combination of flavor, color, symbolism, and emotional connection, emerges as the true champion.
It’s the element that ties the whole holiday feast together, making it the undisputed star of the American Christmas table.
Second on the list was what many might have expected to be the winner: turkey.
Bard with Gemini Pro said: ‘The centerpiece of the meal, a perfectly roasted turkey, is juicy, flavorful, and feeds a crowd. Its versatility (leftovers!), impressive presentation, and cultural significance solidify its place as a top contender. ‘
Most Americans think turkey would be the star of the show, but it comes in second
But a Christmas dinner would not be complete with gravy, which was ranked as the third most important item
Third was gravy, with Bard stating, ‘Rich, pan-dripping-based gravy elevates every element on the plate. Its savory, meaty goodness is the perfect condiment, making it a true contender for the top spot.
Stuffing and roasted vegetables followed in fourth and fifth place.
Bard said, ‘Savory breadcrumb mix studded with herbs and sometimes sausage or fruit, stuffing/dressing is a flavorful anchor for the turkey.
‘Its versatility and ability to soak up pan drippings make it a crowd-pleaser.
‘From Brussels sprouts to carrots and parsnips, roasted vegetables add color, texture, and sweetness to the table.
‘Their versatility and health benefits make them a winner, but they lack the undeniable star power of the next contenders.
In the sixth and seventh were dinner rolls and mashed potatoes.
Bard said: ‘Creamy, fluffy mashed potatoes are a blank canvas for rich gravy and savory herbs. They’re undeniably delicious, but their dependence on other flavors keeps them from the top spot.
‘Warm, buttery rolls are essential for soaking up gravy and cranberry sauce. They provide a comforting breadiness that rounds out the meal, but their supporting role keeps them in the middle of the pack.
Bring up the rear were pigs in blankets, green bean casserole and lastly, ‘holiday spices’ – again something of a surprise in number ten.
Miniature sausages wrapped in flaky pastry are irresistible finger food, perfect for pre-dinner nibbles or a fun addition to the main course, according to the chatbot.
But their simplicity might leave some wanting more complex flavors.
By Daily Mail Online, December 24, 2023
