This evening, President Barack Obama hosts his first state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Because Singh is a vegetarian, the menu will be exclusively meatless with the exception of optional green curry prawns.

White House state dinner menu

Appetizers

• Potato and eggplant salad
• White House arugula with onion seed vinaigrette
• Red lentil soup with fresh cheese

Main Course

• Roasted potato dumplings with tomato chutney, chick peas and okra -or-
• Green curry prawns, caramelized salsify with smoked collard greens and coconut-aged basmati

Dessert

• Pumpkin pie tart, pear tatin, whipped cream and caramel sauce
• Petits fours and coffee
• Cashew brittle
• Pecan pralines
• Passion fruit and vanilla gelees
• Chocolate-dipped fruit

First Lady Michelle Obama brought in award winning NY chef, Michael Samuelsson to help prepare the meal.