Dinner with the Obamas

Well, it finally arrived. Of all things, it arrived in the traditional manner, not via email. Well technically speaking, that was the only way for it to arrive and receive the type of recognition it deserved. That way it could be held up in the air. It could be held. It could be fondled and smelled. There could be speculation about the route the envelop had traveled; how many unknowing (unobservant) eyes had passed the envelop through the sorter and then on to its next juncture.

Maybe one or two who actually look at the content of their job noticed the mark of the sender and wondered if it was really from the White House. But now it sits in my hands. An invitation to dinner with the Obamas at the White House on January 25.

No, this isn't the inaugural dinner. There would be hordes present for that, not to mention all those wannabes who'd be pressing forward to get the ear of the President in order to mention so and so, or the friend of a friend, or being a self representative for some position on the Cabinet team. The inaugural dinner is not the scene for this invitation. It isn't even scheduled for inauguration day!

This will be a relatively quiet dinner. It will regale those who are ancestors of the first black Senate and Congressional representatives. Since I'm some sort of descendant of Hiram Revels (though we haven't quite figured that one out yet), I'm entitled to an invitation. And it's for those who are multi-racials who have been in silent service of their country for decades while fearlessly facing the trials and suffering the lack of recognition that most like us tend to wear.

No, I haven't told a lot of people yet -- only about 15 or 20. You know my guy had to be the first on the list. He needed to know why I was going to be out of town. I'll have to think about whether I want to invite him to join me or not. What does the invitation say about guests?

It'll be interesting to see how many are surprised at the menu. The Food News host recently commented on the new cuisine that will be served in the White House and how American palates are going to have to change so drastically to adjust for the new First Family. It was rather shortsighted. For those who don't know, it would be a shortsighted statement.

President-elect Obama is not entirely black or African American. He is one half Kenyan and one-half white. He spent the majority of his life eating Midwestern cuisine, just like his kindred multi-racials. And then his palate got a good dose of Hawaiian influence, not to mention a dash of Jakartan grub. Jakarta was a minute in time and belonged more to his sister, Maya. But look at the care that was given to the menu.

We start with cheeseball appetizers and cheese fondue accompanied by a really nice white wine. That is definitely Midwestern fare.

Michelle got a little fancy on us with the radicchio tossed salad with mandarin orange slices and vinaigrette dressing. But that's okay. We needed to add a little bit of class to this wholesome fest. But just plain endive with alfalfa sprouts and buttered croutons would have been a really great touch. Top that with grated Parmesan and (whoa!), what a treat! That definitely would have been a great Kansas touch.

Ah, but the main dishes are to knock your eyes out. They combined the Hawaiian with the Midwest and came up with roast pork for the main meat accompanied by sweet sausages. When can you have a family-styled dinner without creamy mashed potatoes? I'm looking at this next item and wondering how many bushels of green beans were sacrificed for the cause. And then there are the yams (a little Native influence) and zucchinis.

I just don't see how they're going to work the ambrosia into the meal at the right time. Yes, it's a salad. But it's so sinful that it also works as a dessert. Is this the food that works both before as well as after? Yummmmm. I dearly hope so.

Now, this is creative. It's a sit-down dinner. Everyone's at the same table passing bowls of this and platters of that (don't forget the latkes!), rubbing elbows and telling stories. You can pass on the appetizer wine and just wait for the main meal where the beverage can be sparkling cider or draft beer. Have you ever thought of serving beer at your formal dinner? This is going to be F-U-N.

So who says because your skin is brown and because someone in your family derived from the African Diaspora that you have to eat fried chicken, greens, and ham hocks? That's another reason I know this is going to be one of the best functions of the year at the White House. Everyone in attendance understands the nature of being many races and cultures within one's self. And everyone in attendance understands being self sufficient and confident about who and what you are, that you stand on your own merit because of what you've earned, not the color of your nor any of your ancestors' skin. And we'll all just enjoy the camaraderie of being involved in politics in some small way.

Will any of us come away with a plum assignment? Maybe, maybe not. But the fact that we all met in the course of having an all-American Midwest dinner will be the greatest coup of all.

Come to think of it, I should definitely take my guy. He's got cute eyes and a really interesting conversation. I can trust him. He's housebroken.