The menu, which the White Home unveiled at a preview Wednesday, follows the sample the Bidens have established of their earlier two such black-tie affairs: utilizing seasonal American components whereas incorporating nods to the delicacies of the visiting nation. The choice to prominently function saffron — a signature taste of Indian delicacies whose yellow-orange coloration is a Hindu image — was simply such an homage. And the dessert, a rose-and-cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake, additionally marries a traditional American candy with distinctly Indian components.
Jill Biden, who made remarks to reporters in the course of the preview, famous that the flowers on the tables, too, bore saffron’s hue. Biden known as the vegetable-forward menu “beautiful,” crediting visitor chef Nina Curtis, a Californian identified for healthful, plant-based delicacies. Curtis — whose résumé features a stint on the Malibu Ranch luxurious well being resort — is working alongside White Home government chef Cristeta Comerford and White Home government pastry chef Susie Morrison.
“We have now curated a menu that showcases one of the best of America delicacies seasoned with Indian components and flavors,” Curtis stated on the preview. “It permits friends from each international locations to expertise one thing of the opposite’s tradition.”
One overture to the visiting dignitary won’t appear apparent. However Curtis stated the choice to make use of millet within the summery opening course — a marinated millet and grilled corn kernel salad with compressed watermelon and a “tangy avocado sauce” — was impressed by the United Nations’ resolution to call 2023 “The 12 months of Millets.” Millet is a grain that grows in poor soil and with little irrigation, and whereas it was as soon as generally utilized in Indian delicacies, it has fallen out of favor, prompting agriculture officers to marketing campaign for its resurgence.
This isn’t the primary principally meatless state dinner to be held on the White Home. In fact, when the eating is about high-stakes diplomacy, the menu is chosen with friends’ wants and preferences in thoughts (the State Division’s chief of protocol usually works with the White Home social secretary on this earlier than the menu planning begins). When the Obamas in 2009 hosted Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh, the menu was largely vegetarian (friends had the choice of a curry-prawn important course) and the president toasted the honoree with what seemed to be a glass of water.
For the friends who do imbibe, one of many wines accompanying this week’s meal additionally pays specific homage to the ties between host and visitor. A purple mix comes from Patel Vineyard in Napa Valley, which is owned by Raj Patel, who was born in India and settled in California as a boy. Different wines embrace a 2021 “Kristi” chardonnay from Stone Tower Vineyard in Leesburg and a brut rose from Domaine Carneros, which is thought for making bubbles utilizing conventional French strategies however with American grapes.
Curtis stated the decision from the White Home to behave as a visitor chef was an honor — however a supply of comprehensible stress. “You will need to perceive the strain I’m underneath standing right here earlier than you — however it’s the form of strain that’s additionally an elation,” she stated. “If you find yourself requested by the primary woman to return be a part of her on the White Home, it’s a sense I hope many cooks get to have.”