Description

‘A true treasure of Italian cuisine – I find myself drawn back to the book time and time again’. Giorgio Locatelli

‘The Talisman really brought me into Italian food. I thought it was so exciting. I love the way she spoke in a very simple and clear form. The recipes were an eye opener…’
– Ruth Rogers CBE, chef and owner of River Cafe, Guardian

‘The Talisman of Happiness is a book I regularly reach for as a source of inspiration and reference.
And now it’s been lovingly translated, my copy is already a thicket of sticky notes. It should be given permanent place on the cookery bookshelf of everyone who loves Italian food, as it’s not just another cookbook, but an essential companion to understanding Italian cooking.’
– Vicky Bennison (Pasta Grannies)

‘Considered by many to be the ultimate work on the Italian kitchen.’
– Craig Claiborne, New York Times

‘An indispensable guide for Italian home cooks.’
– Kim Severson, New York Times

The Talisman of Happiness is the definitive Italian cookery bible. First published in Italy in 1929 by pioneering journalist and food writer Ada Boni, it has never been out of print since and has sold more than one million copies over the last century. With over 1,600 recipes, The Talisman is the essential catalogue of all the flavours, techniques and traditions that define Italian cuisine.

The book is an established wedding gift in Italy, a talisman of luck for newlyweds and an heirloom that is passed down from generation to generation as the indispensable source for classic dishes. ‘There can be no true happiness,’ Boni wrote, ‘if such an essential part of our daily lives as eating is neglected.’

This landmark English edition of the complete work has been carefully translated to preserve the joy and warmth of the Boni’s original for a new generation of home cooks, with specially commissioned illustrations from Italian illustrator Federico Bonfiglio.

The Talisman of Happiness is a gift of good luck, a timeless collection of recipes to feed the body and nourish the soul.