Ep 24. Nonna Luna's Recipe Diary

In Giada At Home season 3 episode 24, titled "Nonna Luna's Recipe Diary," Giada De Laurentiis takes a trip down memory lane with her Aunt Raffy and learns the family secrets behind her great-grandmother Nonna Luna's delicious dishes.

Giada starts off by reminiscing about her childhood memories of visiting her grandparents' house and enjoying Nonna Luna's cooking. She introduces us to her Aunt Raffy, who has inherited Nonna Luna's recipe diary, which was passed down from generation to generation and is now over 100 years old.

Aunt Raffy and Giada flip through the pages of the recipe diary, where they find cherished family recipes for classic dishes such as lasagna, meatballs, and chicken cacciatore. Giada gets excited to learn more about the ingredients and cooking techniques that have been passed down through her family.

Giada invites her Aunt Raffy to her home kitchen to recreate a few of Nonna Luna's recipes. They start by making a fresh tomato sauce that is the base for many of Nonna Luna's dishes. They then move on to make Nonna Luna's famous lasagna, layering pasta sheets, meat sauce, and béchamel sauce. Giada also makes a side dish of roasted Brussels sprouts with pancetta, which is a modern twist to the traditional Italian cuisine.

Next, Giada and her Aunt Raffy make Nonna Luna's chicken cacciatore, using chicken thigh and drumstick, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. They also make a side dish of Parmesan polenta, which is creamy and decadent.

To wrap up the episode, Giada and Aunt Raffy make Nonna Luna's ricotta cheesecake, which is light and fluffy. The cheesecake is made with fresh ricotta, lemon zest, and vanilla, and is baked in a springform pan. Giada serves it with a fresh raspberry sauce, which adds a pop of color and flavor to the dessert.

Throughout the episode, Giada shares fun family stories and anecdotes about Nonna Luna, her grandparents, and her childhood memories. She emphasizes the importance of preserving family recipes and passing them down to future generations. The episode is a heartfelt tribute to Giada's family and their rich Italian heritage.

Overall, "Nonna Luna's Recipe Diary" is a charming episode that showcases the beauty and simplicity of Italian cuisine. Giada's passion for cooking and family shines through, making it an entertaining and heartwarming watch for viewers.