If you ask any American what their favorite part of Christmas dinner is, you'll get a variety of answers.
For many families, the turkey or roasted ham is the real centerpiece of the meal, while others indulge in sides like stuffing, mashed potatoes or green beans.
However, asked Google's Bard artificial intelligence chatbot to draw on the nearly unlimited data it has access to and give us a definitive ranking.
And the star of the show was quite surprising.
If you ask any American what their favorite part of Christmas dinner is, you'll get a variety of answers. But we didn't ask an American, we asked AI
In most cognitive tests, Bard outperforms GPT-4, which supports ChatGPT.
Best Christmas dishes according to Google's Bard
1. Cranberry sauce
2. Türkiye
3. Sauce
4. Stuffing
5. Fried vegetables
6. Buns
7. Mashed potatoes
8. Pigs in blankets
9. Green bean casserole
10. Winter spices
Microsoft's bot can tell users when an omelet is cooked, suggest the best design for a paper airplane, or help a soccer player improve his skills.
Now the perfect Christmas meal in the USA has been revealed.
Gemini Pro was asked to select the best dishes for a Christmas dinner, explain the selection and provide further details about the winner.
First up is cranberry sauce, with Bard noting, “Cranberry sauce may seem like a surprising choice, but its unique combination of properties makes it the true champion of American Christmas dinner!”
The chatbot continued, explaining the reasons for its choice: “Complementary flavor: Its acidity cuts through the richness of the turkey, gravy and stuffing, providing a refreshing counterpoint and preventing palate fatigue.”
“Festive color: The bright red tone adds a touch of color to the plate, making the entire meal visually appealing and festive.”
“Symbolism: Cranberries come from North America and are a winter food source for indigenous peoples.”
“They represent the traditional roots and cultural significance of the holiday.”
Versatility: Cranberry sauce can be enjoyed on its own, 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 dinner, explain the selection and provide further details about the winner
“Emotional connection: For many, the taste of cranberry sauce brings back childhood memories of Christmas dinners and beautiful moments with family.” This sentimental value adds another layer of meaning to its presence on the table.
“So while every ingredient on this list plays a crucial role in creating a delicious and festive holiday meal, cranberry sauce proves to be the true champion with its unique combination of flavor, color, symbolism and emotional connection.”
It is the element that holds the entire celebration together and makes it the undisputed star of the American Christmas table.
Second on the list was what many would 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 cement 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 wouldn't be complete with gravy, which was ranked as the third most important dish
Third place was the sauce, with Bard explaining, “A rich dripping-based sauce elevates every element on the plate.” Its savory, meaty flavor is the perfect seasoning, making it a real contender for the top spot.
Stuffing and fried vegetables came in fourth and fifth place.
Bard said, “A savory breadcrumb mixture studded with herbs and sometimes sausage or fruit, stuffing/dressing is a flavor anchor for the turkey.”
“Its versatility and ability to soak up drippings make it a crowd favorite.”
“From Brussels sprouts to carrots to parsnips, roasted vegetables add color, texture and sweetness to the table.”
“Their versatility and health benefits make them winners, but they lack the undeniable star power of their nearest competitors.”
In the sixth and seventh there were 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 reliance on other flavors keeps them out of 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.
The finale was pigs in blankets, a green bean casserole and finally “Christmas spices” – again a surprise in number ten.
Miniature sausages wrapped in puff pastry are irresistible finger food, perfect for pre-dinner bites or a fun addition to the main course, according to the chatbot.
But their simplicity might leave some wanting more complex flavors.
The dishes that are NOT part of an American Christmas dinner
Bard suggested that families avoid durian fruits
asked Bard with Gemini Pro about some ingredients that are definitely not part of a Christmas dinner.
The chatbot responded with a numbered list.
1. Durian: This Southeast Asian fruit has a notoriously strong, pungent odor that some describe as reminiscent of rotten onions or gym socks. Its overpowering scent would clash with traditional Christmas aromas and would likely brighten the room rather than evoke festive cheer.
2. Liverwurst: While liverwurst, a spread made from liver and various offal, is enjoyed in some European Christmas traditions, it is not common on American tables. Its strong, savory flavor, often with a metallic note, probably doesn't pair well with the sweeter and richer ingredients of a typical Christmas meal.
3. Anchovies: Although anchovies are popular in Mediterranean cuisine, their salty, fishy flavor in a holiday dish would be an unwelcome surprise. Their umami punch might overwhelm the delicate flavors of holiday dishes like turkey and mashed potatoes.
4. Tofu Scrambled Eggs: For those following a plant-based diet, tofu scrambled eggs can be a delicious alternative to eggs. However, their neutral flavor profile and lack of traditional breakfast sausage elements wouldn't quite capture the festive (festive) mood of a Christmas morning.
5. Pickled Herring: While loved by some, this Scandinavian delicacy is an acquired taste. Its combination of salty, vinegary and fishy flavors would contrast with the warm, comforting notes of a classic Christmas dinner.