Forrest Gumpp

Re my apparent liking for dictators (into which category I certainly wouldn't put Mannerheim) you and some others have failed to see that my tongue (or lettuce leaf) is firmly in my cheek.

What I had in mind was bringing on the Grand Inquisitor to find out whatever possessed them to behave against humanity as they did.

Then I had in mind that Lucretia Borgia - as an expert in poisons - would be asked to do a party trick. Not that I believe in being able to turn the clock back.

Fractelle

Both outfits are sensational. I have a leaning towards the second one. Vegos are like that!

Dear Bronwyn,

Mine will be a Russian-themed formal dinner party.
It will begin
with "zakuska," an array of "small bites"
accompanied by vodka, set out in advance on a round
table in the reception room. The table will be placed so
that guests can circle it comfortably while sampling
the scores of dishes.

The dishes featured will be, a platter of
sturgeon in aspic, flanked by pots of red and black
caviar. Dominating the center of the table will be
a chicken-based, "salat Olivier," a "pashtet" (pate)
of liver, and a plate of picked herring - and the silver
casserole of kidneys in Madeira sauce, next to it -
Bef Stroganov strewn with crisp straw potatoes providing
hot dishes. Ranged around these major dishes will be a
variety of appetite-teasers: three kinds of bread, a
bowl of fruit, pickles and pickled mushrooms, and of-
course a full assortment of vodkas.

After an hour, the guests will be summoned to
the flower-banked dining room and take their places around
an enormous, elaborately decorated table.

Its customary to have a centerpiece of fruits, flanked
by cake stands, candelabra, sculpured figures, all in
gold and silver.

Dinner will begin with soup - chicken consomme
with tiny dumplings or red bouillon with quenelles.
'Pirozhki' and 'pychki' accompany the soups. Both have
fillings appropriate to the soup they accompany - minced
meat, mushrooms, et cetera.

There is always a fish dish, possibly a sturgeon
cooked in a rich creamy tomato sauce or a crayfish
souffle. I may include a Lobster Parfait. Followed by
Chicken Kiev, Filet Mignon with Bernaise Sauce.

The vegetables
will be succulent all-white asparagus, tiny peas, cucumbers
braised in dill butter, or leeks in parsley sauce, they will
be served as a separate course.

Elaborate desserts follow dinner. Cream
flavoured with strawberries or raspberries; an Apple
Charlotte. And Napoleon "Torte."

Of course sherry, Madeira and port will be offered after the
soup, a selection of white wines with fish, red wines with
meat, and cognac, Malaga, Muscat, with dessert. And, for those
that want it, champagne will be served with every course.

cont'd ...

Two or three hours after the dinner
"Vecherny Tchai," or evening tea,
cold cuts, cheeses, small cakes, and
candied fruits will be brought into the
drawing room, and these will be served
with boiling tea from a samovar.

As for entertainment? That will be
provided by the good conversation of
the guests.

'Na zdorovie!"
(To Your Health.)

To Everyone who invited me to their dinner
party - I accept with great pleasure.

To you Dear Forrest,

You dinner party sounds sensational.
I am looking forward to discussing further
with David Yallop, his book, 'In God's
Name.' It made such an impact on me in the
1980s.

Foxy! Foxy!

Even you...of all the sensitive souls. With your menu I'd be reduced to vodka, sherry, Madeira, port, white and red wines, cognac, Malaga, Muscat and champagne.

Oh I suppose if I can still see I could have some bread, fruit and pickled mushrooms. Some kind soul might allow me a plate of your entree vegetables. And, after everyone else has had dinner, if someone were kind enough to prop me up, I could manage an Apple Charlotte.

I'd probably be giving the samovar a wide berth at this stage since my inner being will be splashing about.

I must warn you, experience tells me after a night of drinking while watching other people tuck into a feast like the one you plan, I tend not to take too much notice of the good conversation of the guests. I prefer to sing loud and often, though my repertoire has been unreasonably called limited.

Na zdorovie to you too.

Thank goodness for SBS's annual screening of "Dinner for One".

Dear Spikey,

Especially for you, I will see to it that
there will be plenty of 'bliny,' (buckwheat
pancakes) and caviar. Then you will be
served the classic 'kulebiaka,' a flaky
salmon loaf or if you prefer there will
also be one made with a cabbage filling.

There will be 'Borshch '(Beet soup), there will
be 'pelmeni' (Russian dumplings filled with
cheese and spinach). Also known as 'Vareniki.'

And that's not counting all the breads, cakes,
and desserts. You will be catered for.

Just come along, and enjoy!