that unlocked so much of italian cooking. a simple combination of carrot, celery, and onions. fried up together, it's called the sofrito. >> looking good. what do you think, stan? >> yeah, it's good. >> throw the ctomato in? >> it's the basis of a italian cooking, it's a delicious vegetable sauce, and we named it after our beloved neighbor in florence who show mid mom how to make it all those years ago. in the fine tradition of tuscan home cooking, it's cheap, nutr nutritious, and full of tomato. i make it quite often. >> you do? >> of course. the kids love it. but here's the thing. every time my mother comes to visit, which is too often -- anyway, i always go can you show me how the make this? but mine still doesn't turn out the way hers turns out.