Michael Szczerban speaks about the new full English translation of the classic Italian cookbook, The Talisaman of Happiness by Ada Boni.

I love this dish is because it shows how a good cook can make something out of nothing. Ada Boni's recipe begins just with onions, tomatoes and a big handful of mint, and it is incredible. I love it so much. It is so simple and yet so beguiling and good.

And you, of course, can take it somewhere else. You could add arugula instead of the mint. You could add fewer onions and more tomatoes. You could poach an egg in it if you wanted. But the lesson for me is that if you start somewhere and you point yourself in the right direction, you can get there.

https://www.npr.org/2025/12/23/nx-s1-5646491/a-classic-italian-cookbook-finally-gets-a-full-english-translation