Ophelia wrote:

>> It was to illustrate that inauthentic can be tasty too.
>
> Fie on 'authentic'!!! What it the point in 'authentic' if you enjoy
> it even slightly differently! Authentic is what someone 'says' it
> is. Sorry, i am not interested in prescriptive cooking. I take the
> best that I can find and make it palatable for me and mine! I think
> your son is exactly right and good for him!!

I don't think that "fie on authentic" is the right place in this
particular continuum, either. E.g., if you've only had the Americanized
versions of some foods, having them in their country of origin, made the
"authentic" way, can be almost unimaginably different and delicious.

Falafel would be an example for me - I've had it here in the US, but
having it in Israel (and, I imagine, elsewhere in the Middle East, too)
is, well, there's just no comparison. It's _so_ much better tasting
over there.

Gelato would be another one - I've never had it here that tasted
anywhere close to how it tastes in Italy.

I'm sure we could (and some of us wil, no doubt) add to that list.

And the difference isn't just in "authentic" recipes, either - it's
"authentic" ingredients, some of which simply can't be had in the same
form here no matter how hard you try, it seems.

IOW, it's good to know whether or not something is authentic - that
doesn't have to matter to whether you like it or not, but it's
worthwhile information to have.

-S-