An Ode to Grandma!
Each year, I have the pleasure of spending about three weeks with Erminia Motika, also known as “Grandma.” She is Lidia’s mother, the grandmother of Joe and Tanya, the great-grandmother of the five grandchildren and the “cheerleader” to all twenty members of the Lidia’s Italy crew.
Many emails come through our office asking why Lidia always refers to Erminia as Grandma. Let me respond by saying that all of us refer to her that way, and she absolutely loves it. She has an amazing spirit, a positive attitude and loves to give compliments to us all - even when we might not always deserve them. As I am sitting here writing, she is carefully watching Lorenzo and Julia, Tanya’s children, help Lidia make anolini - a fresh pasta from Emilia Romagna that will be featured in Lidia’s next series. Careful criticism will follow when they come off the set. Wouldn’t it be great if more of us could experience such support from a Grandma like “Great Grandma Erminia”?!
Besides the compliments, Grandma is famous for two other inspiring qualities. She loves a good laugh–either behind the scenes as she pokes a little fun of our lighting director, Scotty Wolfeil, or on the set with Lidia.
And although many of us in the control room are also not beyond a little too much joking around at certain moments, we don’t share in her and Lidia’s talent for singing. In each series, this one included, they find themselves breaking out in song as they begin to reminisce over a big, hot plate of Italian food. And when I think about it, there is nothing better than a comforting dish of food and great music that brings back memories of family.
November 10th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
10/11/08
Hi Shelly, Thanks for the excellent candid shots of Lidia and Erminia. They are two beautiful women who project a wonderful sense of friendship and devotion not always found in mother/daughter relationships. Brava for them.
Lidia has a very lovely mezzo soprano voice which always provides a charming interlude — however unexpected!
I am counting on you to keep the uproar in the control room down to a college cheer! You look like a fun personality. I can tell you are energetic and the kind of team player who can carry the ball over the goal line.
Thanks again for sharing a glimpse into your world and your reactions. Yes, food comforts and music tames the savage beast, but at the end of the day, human love is the magic potion.
With very best holiday wishes to you and your family,
Joan Wilson, Lidia’s Friend in Southern California
November 12th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
11/12/08
Dear Erminia, Shelley’s mini sketch of you reminded all of your viewers once again what a fun and intriguing personality you are. I am reminded of your recollections about your mother’s feeding the family polenta morning, noon, and night. After all those years you were still indignant. It just goes to show that there are certain childhood memories which never leave us — for better or worse.
Your supportive presence on the shows helps Lidia reach her goals with confidence even though you may ad lib here and there. The informality mixes in a warmth and genuineness that is irresistible. It all adds up to a great finished product.
Erminia, at the right time you were able to provide what the family needed most. My own mother wanted to be able to do that, but poor health and an early death prevented it. But you and my mother did have one quality in common — a wonderful sense of humor. God bless you both!
My very best wishes to you and your family,
Joan B. Wilson, Lidia’s Friend in Southern California
November 13th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Watching Lidia’s cooking shows on PBS is one of my favorite half hours on television. I especially love when I get to see Grandma. The obvious love and respect Lidia has for her mother warms my heart. Lidia teaches with such ease, encouraging a comfortable approach to food preparation, and now after using four of her cookbooks and watching innumerable shows, I feel as though she is in my head. I don’t have their ability to sing, but I play Italian music in my kitchen, summoning up great memories of my trips to Italy. It even helps me conjure Lidia’s smiles and Erminia’s pithy comments, feeling somehow connected through food. Piacere e grazie.
Carol Beth Icard, an artist who loves Italy and cooking
November 13th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Tell Lidia to give Ermina a big warm Italian hug, and don’t let go ! I would give anything to have my Grandmother Maria back with me. Ermina looks so sweet, and her smile lights up the room, so stay near her, and enjoy her !!! They have lots of stories to tell, listen & absorb them, take lots of photos and have fun in the kitchen together. I do not live too close to my mom now, but will be moving soon & plan to occupy her kitchen a lot !! Have Ermina put some of her unique recipes on paper herself into a pretty little notebook, then give it as a gift to Lidia. I treasure my Grandma’s recipes-in her words.
November 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I too so enjoy watching Lidia cook with her beloved mother, children, and grandchildren.
I just finished watching “Brodetto for all fish” episode in which Lidia prepares mussels and skate. Delicious! I love her show and DVR it so I never miss an episode…it is the highlight of my day when I get home from work. In so many of her shows she serves food in beautiful Italian bowls and platters. In this episode she served the fish in some outstanding pieces. Where does she get them? I have been able to find some beautiful Polish pottery online but not the Italian.
I love her cooking and I agree with her when she tells us that presentation is always important. I would love to find a source to buy some of the Italian pottery dishes she uses.
November 28th, 2008 at 11:10 am
It has beeen such a Blessing to watch Lidia and Grandma Erninia.
I watch the program with my grandaughter Alexa and my mother , Debbie. We are a 4 generation Greek-American (Asia/Minor decent) household. It is such a pleasure to see family have fun and work/play in the kitchen..the heart of any home.
Have a Blessed and Happy Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year..2009.
Denise
November 30th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Keep on bringing us more Grandma. She’s the greatest, and you are telling us each time how lucky you are to still have here around in person. To those whose Mother is already gone, she brings us a piece of our own mother’s warmth, wisdom, and experience.
She is a blessing to me.
December 8th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
How lovely to see your mother Ermina. I am a great fan of the restaurant Ermina up in the 80’s, our very favorite place to dine. We were told that Ermina was in the kitchen, or Mom by the owner this was aaround 1988 or so. We always went back to enjoy a great meal. We now live in La Quinta, California. I recently went online to find “Ermina’s pasta with cream and mushrooms” I looked everywhere, and ended up making my own, but it wasn’t Ermina’s I am so glad to have this site. I am a great fan of Lydia,s. It was wonderful also to see the beautiful Ermina.
Maureen White
January 5th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Hello. My husband and I are origianlly from New York City. We are great fans of Lidia and Grandma. The two of them remind us of our Italian/Jewish families. My husband’s mother was born in Naples and my parents were born in Europe as well; my husband and I are first generation Americans. Our families love to celebrate family time with food and if we want to see the kids and grand kids, one way to get them here is with food, especially the food their grandmothers used to make. I happened to watch Lidia and Grandma cook a wonderful recipe for Farina Gnocchi and want to find out how to make this. You see this is something my mother used to make but the recipe went with her when she passed away. Is there any way to get this? Keep the wonderful shows on PBS coming and coming and coming. They are a joy to watch and bring back family memories.
Lidia’s Friend in Jacksonville, Florida
January 15th, 2009 at 2:32 am
I would like Lidia to know that her shows are not just about food-they are about family.
In 2006, my wife was hospitalized with advanced emphysemia and although she was unable to eat much, we would always tune in to the show of our favorite “zia”, planning to make the dishes at home when my wife would return home. I would hold her hand at her bedside and we would watch Lidia do her magic. Alas, we were never able to make the dishes at home as she passed away at the end of that year.
I would like Lidia to know that through her show she was able to lighten our spirits for a while and our family wishes her continued success and we raise a toast to her wishing her “due cent’ anni”!