Diet-schmiet, Obama packs away the exotica at India state dinner

L.A. Times ^ | 11/9/10

[Nachum]

No, Mr. President, you don't eat the hot towel.

The very first state dinner that the already departed social secretary Desiree Rogers threw at the Obama White House was for Manmohan Singh, India's prime minister, not to be confused with the gatecrashing Salahis, who attended anyway and have been milking their infamy ever since. State dinners aside, the Obamas have roiled the Washington social set with their new rules prohibiting mingling and a reception line.

But in New Delhi, Singh returned the favor for the Obamas on Monday night, sitting on the American president's right while India's president, Pratibha Patil, sat on Obama's left.

And what a spread the hosts laid on for their 170 guests.The head table at India's state dinner for the Democrats Barack and Michelle Obama 11-8-10

No cheesburgers with mayo and fries or pastrami with cole slaw for the nation's First Family of Fast Food Eaters. But both the Democratic president and his ardent healthy-eating advocate wife, Michelle, appeared to enjoy themselves.

They had fish tikka achari, shahi zeera pulao and chicken shami kebab.

[Nachum]

And ahftarwards, this meal will do a dance on youhr colon, Sahib.

[a fool in paradise]

[samtheman]

The First Wookie shoveled it all in, then burped and bellowed her satisfaction.

[ClearCase_guy]

As with language and religion, India contains multitudes when it comes to cuisine. It's a big, diverse place. But much of classic Indian cooking comes from the Moghuls who imposed Islamic rule over much of India for centuries.

I'm not surprised he likes it (to be fair, I do too).

[Pessimist]

That made me chuckle out loud!

Good humor is close to the truth!

[SERKIT]

Did they serve Sacred Cow Wagyu Beef?

[Tax-chick]

I love Indian food, too. But I thought Zero took his own chef along because he was afraid the Indians would try to do him in.

[kittymyrib]

Wonder if he had TOTUS there for his four-minute toast....

[j-damn]

This is one thing you can’t find fault with...if I were to visit India I’m sure I’d gain a dozen pounds.

[sionnsar]

This is one thing you can’t find fault with...if I were to visit India I’m sure I’d gain a dozen pounds.

Indian food there is so much better than what you get here.

[Tax-chick]

Maybe not, especially if you didn’t always eat in international hotels. Indians generally don’t eat as *much* as Westerners, especially Americans, do.

[Levante]

“The First Wookie shoveled it all in, then burped and bellowed her satisfaction.”

And then farted Oblama’s first name.