Barack Obama hosts State Dinner for Dr. Manmohan Singh

Washington: Breaking News! US President Barack Obama hosted his first-ever State Dinner at the White House and Indian PM Dr. Manmohan Singh was the first person to receive that honour. President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed Dr. Singh and his wife at the State Dinner, attended by hundreds of diplomats, dignitaries and eminent personalities.

Most of the dishes on the dinner were vegetarian and Guest Chef Marcus Samuelsson monitored the preparations. Obama welcomed everyone with Indian Curry. Magnolia branches adorned the tent's inside walls along with well-decorated ivy and nandina foliage.

The round tables were draped in green apple-colored cloths and napkins, offset by the sparkle of gold-colored flatware and china. The service and dinner plates were brought from the Eisenhower. Hydrangeas, Roses and Sweet Peas in Plum, Purple and Fuschia were part of the floral arrangements.

Grammy Award-winning singer-actress Jennifer Hudson and jazz vocalist and composer Kurt Elling performed at the State Dinner. Indian Music Maestro and Oscar Award winner AR Rahman was also in the list of performers.

Dinner Menu:

First

Potato and Eggplant Salad
White House Arugula with Onion Seed Vinaigrette
2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Modus Operandi, Napa

Red Lentil Soup with Fresh Cheese
2006 Reisling, Brooks “Ara”, Wilamette Valley, Oregon

Entree

Roasted Potato Dumplings
with Tomato Chutney
Chick Peas and Okra

or

Green Curry Prawns
Caramelized Salsify
with smoked Collard Greens
and Coconut Aged Basmati
2007 Granache, Beckman Vineyards, Santa Ynez, CA

Dessert

Pumpkin Pie Tart
Pear Tatin
Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce
Sparkling Chardonnay, Thibaut Janisso Brut, Monticello, Virginia

Petis Fours and Coffee
Cashew Brittle
Pecan Pralines
Passion Fruit and Vanilla Glaces
Chocolate-Dipped Fruit