Conversation with the dignitary's wife:
BB - Your husband's position obliges you to often “be” in the big world. It is obvious, but do you also accept at home??
ŻD - The so-called. big world usually means official parties on the occasion of anniversaries, public holidays, cocktails at embassies, but we also have a private life, in fact very modest - limited mainly due to time - sometimes the husband comes back very late, "Pop up” completely unforeseen trips, sitting. So I often have to cancel social gatherings, postpone birthdays and name days, and sometimes quite unexpectedly I have to admit a dozen or so men. This can hardly be called a party, of course, but such situations happen.
BB - How do you deal in this case?
ŻD - I improvise. From what I have and always in a hurry. I even made a culinary discovery once, sprinkling roast chicken pieces instead of curry” - ground cinnamon (both spices are similar in color). The conversion turned out to be very beneficial and caused a sincere delight among the eaters. After a while, I found out, of course, that there is a recipe for a chicken with cinnamon, but for a long time I was proud of my accidental success.
Other improvisations are little hot snacks: pieces of roll with cheese and pepper baked in the oven, small hot tartare meat balls, Bacon wrapped prunes also baked on a baking tray, Guts, I keep frozen in the fridge when prepared.
BB - A scheduled party, if it comes to fruition?
ZD - I am trying to pass it on, what our friends like, what they have eaten before, that is, the tried and tested specialite de la maison. I can make a good pate, Beef Stroganow, but I do my best to cakes and good desserts.
BB - And the drinks?
ŻD - A glass or two of vodka for appetizers, to hot - wine. We like dry white the most, Hungarian. I try to have them always in the "iron" ones” reserves.
BB - Have you been particularly commemorated by any party??
ŻD - Yes. I have very fond memories of a party at the Soviet Embassy. They were organized on the occasion of Victory Day 9 May.
Usually, such parties have their own rituals and no one expected any attractions. Meanwhile, the culinary part impressed even the bored visitors of similar parties, each guest was handed a canteen and a fairly ordinary glass made of thick glass. Simple soldier's cauldrons hung over the burning fires in the embassy's garden, and from them Soviet soldiers drew meat stews with a large ladle, pea soup and a kind of stew, other soldiers poured Russian vodka into glasses and handed out a piece of bread. The fun was amazing, everyone remembered this idea long and fondly.
My interlocutor asked, so as not to reveal her name. "By the time this article comes out," she said, "I'll probably stop being a dignitary any more.". And then I will happily indulge in an authentic social life”.
Admittedly, this declaration seems to offer some opportunities for promotion to them, who carry their maces in their backpacks for the time being, but as far as I know my life - even the most interested people still have some time. Do not despair, the compulsion to socialize is not yet a threat to us. We can cultivate good morals for enjoyment.