Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

By: Samin Nosrat

Narrated by: Samin Nosrat

Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Samin Nosrat reads "The Four Elements of Good Cooking", part one of her New York Times best seller Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

A visionary new master class in cooking that distills decades of professional experience into just four simple elements, from the woman declared "America's next great cooking teacher" by Alice Waters.

In the tradition of The Joy of Cooking and How to Cook Everything comes Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, an ambitious new approach to cooking by a major new culinary voice. Chef and writer Samin Nosrat has taught everyone from professional chefs to middle school kids to author Michael Pollan to cook using her revolutionary yet simple philosophy. Master the use of just four elements - salt, which enhances flavor; fat, which delivers flavor and generates texture; acid, which balances flavor; and heat, which ultimately determines the texture of food - and anything you cook will be delicious. By explaining the hows and whys of good cooking, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat will teach and inspire a new generation of cooks how to confidently make better decisions in the kitchen and cook delicious meals with any ingredients, anywhere, at any time.

Echoing Samin's own journey from culinary novice to award-winning chef, Salt, Fat Acid, Heat immediately bridges the gap between home and professional kitchens. With a lighthearted approach to kitchen science, Samin demystifies the four elements of good cooking for everyone.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2017 Samin Nosrat. All rights reserved. (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Samin Nosrat's narration of her innovative cooking guide is informative and conversational. Nosrat is a helpful friend by your side in the kitchen, cheerfully imparting culinary wisdom through a combination of accessible scientific explanations and tales of past cooking disasters - and triumphs - of her own." (AudioFile)

Five stars, but important caveat

This was a fantastic audiobook. I loved Samin Nosrat came across. She was absolutely lovely and her stories and instruction were completely engaging. It is important to note that the audiobook is only half of the book. I knew this going in. The second half of the book focuses on techniques and recipes and that is missing from the audio. Its kind of too bad, because reading the the rest, it is not written as a regular recipe book. It really builds off of the first half. Again, I knew what I was getting into as I had already purchased the hardcover before getting the audiobook. So, the audiobook exceeded my own expectations, and why I give it five stars.

My entire cooking philosophy is based on this book

I bought this book when it first came out, when I was in college, and it completely formed my entire way of cooking. Since I graduated, I cook all the time, and every dish I make I literally have Samin’s cheerful light voice in the back of my head telling me to taste my food and trust my instincts.

All the info in here is versatile and topical to everything and super easy to incorporate into your habits. Plus, all her stories about life are super interesting and beautifully written. I’ve listened to this book at least five times, and I always get something new out of it.

A beautiful blend of practical and poetry.

Nosrat offers incredibly useful kitchen know-how far more practical than every cooking show I've ever seen (combined), while couching it all in pure love poetry towards the art of food.

I already feel like i’m a better chef

Samin does an incredible job at breaking down these 4 simple basics to be understood by any level chef. I loved listening as it’s inspired me to branch away from foods i’m comfortable cooking to new things. Her salt and acid chapters have especially helped me in making a simple dish, so much better!

An excellent primer or refresher for a skilled cook

I loved this content. I am a huge fan of her food intelligence, intuition, and joyful spirit.
That last part brings me to my 3 stars on performance — this is about the 1x recording speed…I’ve listened to Samin on many podcasts and seen her delightful guest appearances on a number of shows (I have not, however, watched the series created from this book) - I was somewhat distracted and distressed at her reading of this content until I adjusted the speed to 1.1 - it’s a far more accurate representation of her speaking voice and intonation…I recommend that setting.

More than any cookbook...

A great listen! This goes well beyond any cookbook as she tries to get you to think like a chef and keep these simple elements in mind.

No need to remember any recipes, just address her 4 basic variables as the title states,

Read with passion and written with detail, I think if you like eating and enjoy cooking you will love this book.

(and as always, don't pass up the chance to listen to ANY book read by its author!)

Loved the narration!

Samin takes you there to the places. Excellent story of the journey of a chefs life.

way better than expected

I read cookbooks in bed at night. I love to cook. I learned a lot of the "whys" that I haven't seen with all the "hows" I've engaged with in the past. well written with great information.

Amazing

The information and presentation were both superb. I will probably listen again at some point

Beautiful!

Beautiful writing and reading by Samin. Everything about Samin is a gift to the world. ❤️