Podcast Summary: The Wirecutter Show

Episode: Samin Nosrat’s Kitchen Favorites
Host: The New York Times
Date: October 1, 2025
Guests: Samin Nosrat, Christine Cyr Clissette, Kyra Blackwell, Rosie Guerin

Overview

This lively episode of The Wirecutter Show features acclaimed chef, author, and culinary educator Samin Nosrat. Known for her trailblazing cookbook Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat and its Netflix adaptation, Samin joins hosts Christine, Kyra, and Rosie to discuss her brand-new book (Good: Recipes and Rituals to Share With People You Love), her philosophy on kitchen gear, and her practical tips for joyful cooking and entertaining at home. The episode delivers a mix of hands-on advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and plenty of contagious enthusiasm for cooking—no matter your kitchen size or skill level.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Inspiration Behind Samin’s New Cookbook

• From Reluctance to Recipe Writing
  • Samin initially resisted writing a traditional cookbook after Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, preferring the philosophy of cooking without recipes.
  • She struggled to organize an ambitious "how chefs cook" book, feeling it would "take me decades to collect and distill and organize all of that" (05:23).
  • A turning point came when she realized recipes—once mastered—could serve as an accessible "safety net" for most cooks:

    “No matter how much I want you to feel free of cooking without a recipe, it’s kind of most people’s safety net. It’s a good starting point.” (06:35, Samin)

Samin’s Tiny Yet Mighty Kitchen Set-Up

• Maximalist in a Minimalist’s Space
  • Her small galley kitchen is organized vertically: pot racks, rails with hooks, and a custom built mini speed rack for baking sheets (07:33-08:57).
  • Magnetic walnut knife bar, inspired by restaurant kitchens, recommended for compact storage (09:08-09:25).

"Non-Negotiable" Kitchen Tools

• Essentials for Everyday Cooking:

  • Y-shaped peelers (Kuhn Rikon, Material Kitchen)
  • Microplane grater and box grater
  • Wooden spoons, silicone spatulas (notably the GIR or "spoonula"), and fish spatulas
  • Carbon steel pan (Made In) for daily use
  • Field Company chainmail scrubber for cast iron/cabon steel maintenance
  • On Knives:

    “Most people...can be fine with a chef’s knife, a bread/serrated knife, and a paring knife...what’s way more important than how much you spend on your knife is keeping them sharpened.” (12:00-12:41, Samin)

• Knife-Sharpening Revelation:

  • Tormek Swedish knife sharpener recommended—user-friendly and precise.

    "It is so awesome. True. And it's so easy...anyone can do it." (13:22, Samin)

  • Wirecutter’s own pick: Chef’s Choice 1520, as a more affordable option mentioned later (33:05).

When It’s Worth Investing in "Above and Beyond" Gear

• Don’t Start With Extras, But Build Thoughtfully

  • Buy specialized tools only if they fit your needs (e.g., Japanese mandolin for salad enthusiasts, food mill for perfect mashed potatoes).

    “If...you want to change your salad game, then please do invest in a Japanese mandolin, which costs $24...it will just bring you so much more delight.” (17:04-17:30, Samin)

• Immersion Blender: Must-Have for All

  • Samin’s favorite small appliance: Vitamix immersion blender (formerly Breville).

    “It’s life changing. Everyone should have an immersion blender.” (19:20-19:26, Samin)

  • Complements her love for the mini Cuisinart food processor (19:49-19:59).

Tools You Don’t Need (Necessarily)

• Garlic press: Not a fan, feels it produces uneven texture and abuses garlic, but not here to "shame anyone" (20:23-21:29).
• Air fryer: Not essential if you have a convection toaster oven, but understands its appeal for some (21:51-22:13).

Keeping Cooking Fresh & Interesting

• Condiment Culture for Simple Meals
  • Samin elevates basic staples (rice, veg, eggs) with homemade condiments: chili crisp, salsa macha, preserved lemon paste.

    “What makes my life more interesting is the plenitude of condiments that I always have around.” (22:53, Samin)

  • Homemade vinaigrettes, stored in the fridge, are a game changer for speedy meals and salads (24:50-26:48).

Spice & Oil Tips

• Buy whole spices and grind yourself for max aroma
• Favorite spices: Cumin (savory), Cardamom (sweet) (26:54).
• Store olive oil/spices away from heat.
• Favorite olive oil: Seca Hills (California) – sustainable and ethical, available in bulk (28:13-29:01).
• Always check for HARVEST DATE on oil for freshness (29:10).

Mindset for Home Entertaining

• Lower Your Standards, Raise the Joy
  • Realization: Focus on presence and connection, not perfection.

    “I think we all have to lower our standards. Another way of saying that is being kinder to ourselves and not expecting a home meal to ever be a restaurant meal." (30:03, Samin)

  • Let guests participate, simplify menu, and relax control (30:55-31:20).

Lightning Round: Samin’s Latest Favorite Purchase (non-kitchen)

• Purchased a “beautiful new coat from Rachel Comey...a rusty coral chore coat” (31:41-32:06).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the struggle of following up Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat:

  “Oh no, that’s where we’re starting. It can only go up from here. I did everything in my power to not write a book of recipes..." (05:01, Samin)

• On humble home cooking:

  “Adulting is really just feeding yourself.” (22:29, Kyra)

• On garlic presses:

  “One should never abuse their garlic in that way.” (20:32, Samin)

• On the true meaning of entertaining:

  “If I’m not able to be present emotionally, mentally at this dinner, then what’s the point, right?” (30:29, Samin)

• Joking about gear obsession:

  “There’s a lot of kitchen gear that I’m in desperate need of. But honestly, I think I’m just gonna go straight for her preserved lemon paste idea.” (33:18, Kyra)

Key Timestamps

• 04:01 – Introduction to Samin & her new book
• 05:01 – Explaining inspiration and challenges with writing Good
• 07:33 – 09:42 – Samin describes her small but cleverly maximized home kitchen
• 10:50 – Must-have kitchen tools and unique favorites
• 12:00 – Knife essentials for home cooks; importance of sharpening
• 13:22 – Recommendation: Tormek Swedish knife sharpener
• 17:04 – When to invest in “above and beyond” tools
• 19:01 – 19:59 – Immersion blender and mini Cuisinart food processor endorsements
• 20:23 – Samin’s take on garlic presses and air fryers
• 22:29 – How Samin keeps home cooking fresh with condiments
• 24:50 – Homemade vinaigrettes and preserved lemon paste
• 26:48 – Favorite spices & fresh spice advice
• 28:13 – Olive oil guidance (brand, storage, freshness)
• 29:25 – Entertaining: Let go and enjoy
• 31:41 – Samin’s favorite recent purchase
• 33:18 – Hosts recap key takeaways and product picks

Final Thoughts

This episode is packed with enthusiastic, practical wisdom from Samin Nosrat, perfect for anyone balancing passion with the realities of home cooking. Her advice distills years of restaurant and home kitchen experience into approachable, confidence-building tips: choose the tools that work for you, streamline where possible, and prioritize creating joy and togetherness over culinary perfection.

Products, books, and tools mentioned are linked in show notes on the Wirecutter site.