Chef and cookbook author Samin Nosrat, best known for Salt Fat Acid Heat, joins us to talk about her new book Good Things—and how she keeps cooking joyful, even in a small home kitchen.

She shares the tools she relies on daily, the condiments that transform simple meals, and her approach to entertaining without burning out.

This episode covers: 

• How she organizes her tiny kitchen: Borrowing tricks from restaurant kitchens, Samin makes a small space efficient and inviting.
• The essential knives and sharpeners she recommends: Good blades (and the right sharpener) make prep faster, safer, and more fun.
• Tools she swears by for everyday cooking: From an immersion blender to a carbon steel pan, her kitchen MVPs do heavy lifting.
• When single-use tools are worth it: A food mill or Japanese mandoline can feel niche but save time and improve results.
• Condiments that elevate simple meals: Chili crisp, salsa macha, and preserved lemon paste turn basics into showstoppers.
• Her philosophy on entertaining: It’s about connection, not perfection—and choosing dishes that don’t leave you stuck in the kitchen.

Also, Samin shared more tips for hosting a stress-free dinner party with Wirecutter kitchen writer Maki Yazawatrio.

Wirecutter Picks in Samin's Kitchen: 

• The Y peeler Samin reaches for daily: Kuhn Rikon Original Swiss Peeler
• The sleek knife block in Samin’s small kitchen: Benchcrafted Mag-Blok
• The spatula she can’t cook without: GIR Silicone Spatula
• A handy and compact kitchen workhorse: Cuisinart Core Custom 4-Cup Mini Chopper

Other Products Samin Loves: 

• How she keeps pans spotless: Field Company Chainmail Scrubber
• A fancy at-home knife sharpener: Tormek Knife Sharpener
• Olive oil that supports a good cause: Seka Hills Olive Oil
• Another olive oil Samin counts on: California Olive Ranch
• A special condiment Samin loves: Kuali Salsa Macha

Samin says she also keeps a carbon steel pan, fish spatula, microplane, mandoline, immersion blender, and spice grinder in her kitchen for everyday use. Plus, a food mill for perfect mashed potatoes! Like us, she recommends home cooks start out with three basic knives: a chef’s knife, a serrated knife, and a paring knife. Here are Wirecutter’s picks for these handy kitchen staples. 

• The Best Carbon Steel Pan Made In Carbon Steel Frying Pan
• The Best Fish Spatula:  Winco Fish Spatula
• The Best Microplane Grater: Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester
• The Best Mandoline: Super Benriner
• The Best Immersion Blender: Braun MultiQuick 7 Immersion Hand Blender MQ