Reception Under the Stars - Lake Como, Italy -Villa del Balbianello

Reception Under the Stars

With the sky as their ceiling, guests dine on an Italian meal of ravioli with basil, tomatoes, pesto, and sliced veal before dancing into the wee hours of the morning. The clear tent is lit with hanging chandeliers and oversize candelabras.



A warm glow from the candles creates a beautiful and romantic setting inside the clear tent.

Pashminas for Guests

Pashmina shawls in white, cream, and shades of teal are draped over the backs of guests' chairs.

Miso Salmon with Cucumber Salad by Oprah

Miso Salmon with Cucumber Salad by Oprah: Very easy to prepare, incredibly tasty and as good cold as warm.

Miso Salmon with Cucumber Salad

Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients

Miso Salmon with Cucumber Salad

• 2 Tbsp. sweet white miso paste
• 2 Tbsp. mirin (Japanese rice wine)
• 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 1 1/4 pound center-cut salmon fillet, cut into 4 portions
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp. olive oil for drizzling
• 2 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
• Fresh sprigs of parsley or cilantro, for garnish

Cucumber Salad

• 6 Persian cucumbers, sliced paper-thin
• 1 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds

Directions

Preheat broiler.

For the salmon: Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat foil with cooking spray. Whisk miso, mirin, soy sauce and ginger in a small bowl until smooth. Place salmon fillets, skin side down, in the prepared pan. Brush generously with miso mixture. Broil salmon, 3 to 4 inches from the heat source, until opaque in the center, for about 8 to 10 minutes.

For the cucumber salad: Wash and slice the cucumbers paper-thin. Squeeze out excess liquid and place in a medium bowl and toss with soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame seeds.

Arrange cucumber salad on plate. Place broiled salmon on top. Garnish with scallion, sesame seeds, cilantro or parsley and drizzle with olive oil (optional).

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Cinnamon Rolls ... my favorite

Mini Cinnamon rolls on sticks with dipping glaze.

Tadao Ando Architect

Tto bring out the big time architects and one of my personal favorites. Tadao Ando makes beautiful and clean buildings including the Ryotaro Shiba Museum.

Lego

LOOS.FM Creates Gigantic LEGO-Inspired Church Pavilion in the Netherlands