Last night celeb chef Mario Batali cooked for the last state dinner of the Obama administration. The Italian-American chef was a natural choice to cook for the meal honoring the visit of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. According to a pre- dinner announcement from the White House "The Italy State Dinner highlights the bountiful fall harvest. Chef Mario Batali, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susan Morrison present an array of courses featuring traditional Italian dishes that have been ingrained in American cuisine. Prior to the meal, guests are offered an assortment of passed canapes made with fresh ingredients from Mrs. Obama’s final harvest of the White House Kitchen Garden. These appetizers include Hamachi Agrodolce with recently harvest eggplant, roasted figs with speck and herb pesto made from the garden’s cinnamon basil, crab cannolis with homegrown currant tomatoes, and grilled rosemary lamb with freshly picked rosemary."
First Course
Sweet Potato Agnolotti with Butter and Sage
Patina Vermentino “Santa Ynez” 2015
Salad Course
Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Frisee and Pecorino di New York
Villa Ragazzi Sangiovese “Napa” 2012
Main Course
Beef Braciola Pinwheel with Horseradish Gremolata and Broccoli Rabe
Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel “East Bench” 2014
Dessert
Green Apple Crostata with Thyme Caramel and Buttermilk Gelato
Petit Fours Display:
Sweet Corn Cream and Blackberry Cup
Concord Grape Bittersweet Chocolate Leaf
Orange Fig Slice
Pumpkin Cranberry Tart
Tiramisu