KQED's Forum Forum from the Archives: Samin Nosrat on Nourishing Food, Community and All the ‘Good Things’
Nov 28, 2025
Samin Nosrat, chef and bestselling author of "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," discusses how cooking and community helped her navigate personal struggles. She highlights the joy of small shared dinners and the power of simple cooking rituals. Samin redefines recipes as tools for creativity rather than strict guidelines, emphasizing flexibility and improvisation in cooking. With a nod to her Persian roots, she urges embracing comfort foods and everyday gatherings to foster connection and joy in our lives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Eating As A Small Good Thing
- Eating together can be a "small good thing" that grounds people during hard times.
- Samin uses regular shared meals to rebuild joy and community after personal loss.
Recipes As Transformative Rituals
- Recipes promise identical results but ingredients, equipment and environment vary.
- Samin reframes recipes as rituals that teach transformation, not guarantees.
Master Basics, Then Mix Condiments
- Learn basic techniques (roast, boil, sauté) and combine simple condiments to improvise dishes.
- Use matrices in the book to connect known skills to new combinations and freedom.
