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Turn your courtyard or backyard into a backdrop because your guests will be dining al fresco! Start with a lush, romantic menu, then pick out the perfect dining spot and bring your culinary vision to life. With candles everywhere, beautiful flowers and strands of ivy on the table, you and your guests will be toasting in front of a roaring al fresco fire in no time.

Setting the Scene

• Al fresco literally translated from Italian means "in the fresh."
  
• Figure out the size of your guest list before choosing a location, and try using multiple locations to keep your party moving.
  
• Always be sure and have a back up plan in case of bad weather.
  
• Try updating the recipes with the change of the seasons.
  
• Outdoor meals are a huge part of everyday life in Paris and Rome.

Planning the Menu

Bellinis:

• The Bellini was created in 1948 at Harry's Bar in Venice, Italy, Harry's Bar is a one-time haunt of Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.
  
• If you can't get fresh white peaches, use frozen ones instead. Never use canned peaches.
  
• Raspberries and cherries can also be used to achieve a red coloring.

Panettone:

• Panettone is a light Italian bread that contains raisins and candied fruit.
  
• Use any combination of fresh or dried fruit that you like for the salad.
  
• Add croutons when salad is ready to serve so they stay crisp.

Braised Lamb Shanks and Mushroom Bolognese:

• Lamb shanks require at least a few hours of cooking for the meat to become tender.
  
• The mushrooms should not be stirred until they begin to brown.
  1. Place the lamb in a 275 degree oven. Test at two hours, but the shanks may take up to four hours of cooking time.
     
  2. Skim the fat from the broth before adding the mushrooms back in.

Resources

NapaStyle
www.napastyle.com

Staglin Family Vineyard
1570 Bella Oaks Lane
Rutherford, CA 94573
707-944-0477
www.staglinfamily.com