Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden for their “hospitality” after he received a warm welcome at the White House ahead of the State dinner. “Thank you for hospitality, @JoeBiden and @DrBiden,” said PM Modi as he shared a video of him arriving at the White House. A traditional Gujarati Garba dance was performed at the White House and PM Modi offered a souvenir to Jill Biden. Modi arrived in Washington on Thursday from New York where he led a historic event at the UN Headquarters earlier in the day to commemorate the 9th International Day of Yoga.
Observing that Modi is a vegetarian, First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday said she asked Chef Nina Curtis — who specialises in plant-based cuisine — to work with the White House staff and create a stunning vegetarian menu, reported PTI.
The menu for 400 guests invited to the White House dinner included marinated millet, corn kernel salad and stuffed mushrooms.
Guests had the option to add fish to their main course as well, she said during the media preview for the State Dinner on Thursday at the White House's South Lawn.
More than 400 guests were invited for the dinner at the specially decorated pavilion on the South Lawn of the White House, Jill Biden said.
The first course on the State Dinner included marinated millet, grilled corn kernel salad, compressed watermelon and a tangy avocado sauce. The main course had stuffed portobello mushrooms and a creamy saffron-infused risotto.
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Upon request, guests were served sumac-roasted sea bass, lemon-dill yogurt sauce, crisped Millet cakes and summer squashes, according to the menu.
For dessert, rose and cardamom-infused strawberry shortcake was on the menu. Wines on the list included Stone Tower Chardonnay "Kristi" 2021, PATEL Red Blend 2019 and Domain Carneros Brut Rose.