About Nonna Yolanda
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I’m happy and proud to be Italian, but I also love America very much. I was born in Roma, the eternal city, but soon after my family moved to Gaeta which I loved very… especially the beach. I’m the second of a family of eleven children: seven boys and four girls. My mother couldn’t do it all. She had many nannies and cleaning ladies and a cook to keep with the house. When I was young I was spoiled, I didn’t have to worry about doing any house chores or learn how to cook, I simply ordered the family cook what I wanted to eat and it would be made for me. |
When my sisters and I became teenagers my mother decided that it was time that we learned how to cook because she believed that a woman couldn’t get married if she didn’t know how to cook. So she hired a lady specifically to teach us. The lady was like a mean teacher. She yelled at me when I burned my first “pane di spagna” (Angel Bread). Many times I pretended to be sick to avoid the cocking lessons. But when I finally succeeded in making a great cake with custard cream I received many compliments from my brothers. I felt good and important. As time went by I realized that indeed I was a good cook and that cooking was an easy task and soon became my passion. My brothers, who loved to have parties and entertain beautiful girls, kept on asking me for cakes. I proudly showed off my cakes at the parties and I really enjoyed their praises. |
Enjoy Nonna Yolanda's Videos:
(Click on the Photo or on the Season/Webisode number to view the Video)
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Rossella Rago and Nonna Yolanda Calligaro Region: Lazio Recipe: Spaghetti alla Matriciana |
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Rossella Rago and Nonna Yolanda Calligaro Region: Lazio Recipe: Saltinbocca alla Romana |
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