I’ll be candid here, I am terrible at thinking up blog post ideas. So, I actually have a Pinterest board full of posting ideas. The premise for this post sounded like a lot of fun so here we go: Name 10 people, living or dead, you would invite to dinner and also what would be served.

Let’s start with the guests:

1. Hypatia: An original pioneer in women’s education and also an early victim of Christian fanaticism, Hypatia would, perhaps, be a bit too heavy of an addition to a dinner party. But something tells me this woman knew how to let go and have a little bit of fun.
2. Marlon Brando: To my mind, Brando revolutionized the movie industry with his gritty, realistic performances. He was an intelligent, witty man. And… just damn gorgeous!
3. Jonathan Swift: I love a good piece of satire. And anyone who can CREATE satire is, by default, highly intelligent and socially aware. What a fascinating man with whom to sit down and devour a whole animal.
4. Starhawk: Eloquent, thoughtful, and learned, Starhawk could definitely hold her own in any company.
5. Barak Obama: Unless you’re a political wingnut, I think you can admit that, whether you believe in his tactics or not, Obama is a damn funny guy. It can only help that he’s also well spoken and intelligent.
6. Imagine Dragons: Since they are a band, I consider them one unit (after all, I would send only one invitation to their agent!).  I adore their music and they are amazing artists – a plus for any dinner party.
7. Hayao Miyazaki: A filmmaking genius, incredible visual artist, and well-known defender of the environment I honestly just want to watch all of his movies with him sitting beside me. But I have a feeling he would hate that. So, next best thing, have him over for a wonderful dinner.
8. Frida Kahlo: An amazing visual artist, whose work expresses intensely personal truths, a desire for the subjugation of women to end, and a palpable pride in her home country of Mexico. And I’m pretty sure she knew how to have a great time!
   

   “Frida on White Bench,” photograph by Nickolas Muray, 1939. Submitted image

9. Tom Hardy: This is my secret boyfriend we’re talking about so, I HAVE to invite him.  Plus, he’s intelligent, sensitive, and a staggering talent on screen. Plus, PLUS I really want him to stand next to a young Marlon Brando so I can detect if Tom really IS his reincarnation .
   

And now for the dinner. Since I would want this to last as long as possible, I would plan a full seven courses, but without that really formal setting. This would casual and comfortable dining.

Because it’s likely at least some of my guests will be vegetarian/Vegans, I would plan to offer options for them in all the courses:

Appetizer: Raw Endive Stuffed with Herbed Goat Cheese OR Raw Endive Stuffed with Carrot Puree

Salad: Nicoise Salad (with or without meat) served with a dry Rose

Fish/Pasta: Zucchini Pasta with Lemon-Garlic Shrimp OR Zucchini Pasta with Vegan Pesto served with Sauvignon Blanc

Soup:  Leek and Potato Soup (Vegan or not) served with Pinot Gris

Entree: Cabernet-braised Short Ribs with Gorgonzola Polenta and Roasted Vegetables OR Sauteed Tofu Cutlet with Vegan Polenta and Roasted Vegetables served, of course, with Cabernet Sauvignon

Cheese & Fruit Course: These would just be plonked down in the middle of the table for everyone to nibble. Served with either the leftover Pinot Gris or with a Reisling

Dessert: Lemon Meringue Nests OR Aquafaba Vegan Pavlova served with Viognier