Italian Cookbook's Secret: A 12-Year Quest for Happiness

Ada Boni's seminal 1929 Italian cookbook, "The Talisman of Happiness," has been translated into its first complete English edition, a feat that took publisher Michael Szczerban over a decade. The book, first published in Italy and predating "The Joy of Cooking," offers nearly 1,700 recipes, codifying the backbone of Italian cuisine with a focus on regional differences and home cooking simplicity.

Szczerban's pursuit began after hearing about the book from Samin Nosrat, leading him on a lengthy quest involving extensive research and building trust with the Italian publisher and Boni's family. He sought to preserve the original "beast" of the cookbook, using the 1959 Italian edition as a model and engaging eight translators to ensure authenticity. The goal was to keep Boni's vision intact, allowing home cooks to adapt recipes to their own style.

Lidia Bastianich, who recalls the cookbook from her childhood, contributed a foreword, noting how it captures Italy's culture and heritage. The book's philosophy of accessible, adaptable recipes encourages culinary exploration, as demonstrated by a sales representative who successfully baked wine donuts from its pages, gaining confidence to try more dishes. This "talisman" aims to inspire joy and connection through cooking.