Putting it in "recycle mode" would definitely be fine, but we have had wardens come in with object-creating powers in the past; allowing the replicator to work as is would also be fine! They do need to be programmed with any new food, drink or other items, which provides some built-in limitations in terms of the effort it would take her to create something new, especially since she wouldn't have access to the full ship's computer or any outside network data.

(Should you ever want an IC excuse for her not using the replicator for something, there's also the perennial Trek excuse of needing to conserve power or being worried about the amount of power it would require.)