Rant: My air fryer cauliflower 'steak' deception sparked a vegetarian feud at the block party

I presented my air fryer cauliflower steaks as a wholly original creation, but I had secretly adapted the recipe from a cooking blog without credit. When my neighbor, who follows the same blog, called me out in front of everyone, I had to decide whether to admit the inspiration or double down on my 'culinary genius'. The ensuing debate over recipe ownership versus adaptation got so heated that someone threatened to boycott the next potluck. It's hilarious how a crispy vegetable dish could nearly dismantle neighborhood harmony over such a petty ethical gray area.

3 comments

3 Comments

julia_ward1h ago

How intense was your neighbor about the blog callout? Oof, public recipe shaming is the worst kind of awkward. Food drama always hits different with a side of petty.

nguyen.wesley6m ago

Dealing with recipe credit drama is such a minefield, idk why it gets so personal. I mean, from my experience at family gatherings, I always mention where I got the base idea even if I tweak it. Like, last Thanksgiving I made a spin on a Bon Appétit salad but told everyone it was inspired by them, and no one batted an eye. Maybe just casually credit the blog next time you bring a dish, it defuses tension before it starts. It's petty, but food pride runs deep, so transparency saves friendships over something as silly as cauliflower.

kellyt521h ago

Recall how most culinary innovations build on existing ideas. In my experience, adapting a recipe from a blog is perfectly normal, but presenting it as wholly original crosses a line, not really a gray area. For example, when I modify a stew from Smitten Kitchen, I always credit the source if asked, which avoids confusion. Your neighbor's callout might seem intense, but it underscores how food communities value honesty over secret tweaks. I've witnessed similar credit disputes at church suppers that chilled the vibe for months. So, while crispy veggies shouldn't cause feuds, transparent inspiration saves neighborhood harmony.