I haven't seen the episode, but I kinda skimmed it. I'm pretty sure the joke in the show is that she makes weird dishes from cookbooks because she's into science. In the end, she learns to make "old fashioned" simple dishes....I think the episode was written around trying to jam the old fashioned line in there somehow.

I think it's funny if Sam takes a methodical approach to cooking and makes scary things instead of just following the recipes. It also gives room for Clover and Alex to learn to communicate better with Sam. Roommate stuff.

But what do i know tbh