Sao Tome and Principe + Mozambique + Cape Verde + Guinea-Bissau (food so good I'll stay awake for it)

It's been a while since we had a dinner mash up.  February 29th only happens once every 4 years, so it makes sense we celebrate 4 countries right?  (I think we are getting a little desperate to get out of the African/Island nations.)

Sao Tome and Principe, Mozambique, and Cape Verde joined the UN on September 17th, 1975.  Guinea-Bissau joined September 16th, 1974.  I know, a year and 1 day before the other three but it's a LEAP day and so we're honoring that by doing a little bit of LEAPing ourselves.  Interestingly enough, all these countries were once Portuguese colonies so maybe not that much of a leap.

As I just LEAPed back form Brazil that very morning (not literally, I took a plane), I was willing to commit to mixing cornmeal with water and that's pretty much it.

Our hostess with the mostess was Jenny.  I headed over to keep her company while she was cooking something that smelt amazing.  I mixed cornmeal into hot water and created a terrible lumpy mess that I eventually gave up on fixing.  People showed up, there were conversations, eating of delicious food, 2 desserts... to be honest I was so jet lagged it was a bit of a blur.  I think my will to stay awake only lasted due to my extreme hunger, shortly after eating I was falling asleep at the table.  On my way out there were a few discussions in which I misinterpreted everything until Jenny basically told me to go home and get some sleep.  Fair.

Dinner: 43
Countries: 55, 56, 57, & 58
Celebrated: February 29th, 2020

Papua New Guinea (don't expect any guinea pigs, but long pig is available upon request)

My tiny apartment and I were having 6 other people and a pooch over to celebrate UN Dinner, Papua New Guinea, which joined the UN on October 10th, 1975.

First things first, fill in the reservations on my limited kitchen.

I found looking for recipes a little frustrating this time.  Try as I might I could only find about 4 different dishes to choose from  As 2 were already claimed, I went with the really weird dessert, which we'll get to later.

 I finish all my cooking (and hiding my tarantulas) before people show up.  I also finish dragging all the tables and chairs up from storage.  What seems like a comfortably sized apartment when I'm alone quickly turns into a very cramped space.

So, a few cooking, a few playing card games, one mixing up the cocktail du jour, and a lounging pooch.

Pretty soon dinner was ready.  I tell ya, that was a tasty meal.  I think every single person got up for second helpings, it was just that good.

 Minutes after every one finishing their second helping dessert was pulled out.  I found this surprising because most each themselves into a coma forgetting about dessert completely, but this time even after 2 helpings people were ready.

Now, my dessert is weird.  Basically a tapioca lock with a little banana mixed in, sort of off ewhite, semi translucent.  In researching Papua New Guinea I came across some information about how native tribes still practiced cannibalism.  So, to spruce this weird dessert up a bit I decided to incorporate those practices, albeit legally.

It tasted just as I expected, and though weird, it grew on me.  I was surprised to find I was not the only going back for additional limbs.

 Cutest dinner guest award goes to:

Jackipoobear.  No surprise there.

Dinner: 42
Country: 54
Celebrated: January 4th, 2020

Comoros (Happy 2nd Annual Ugly UN Xmas Sweater Dinner Party!!!)

Comoros (an island nation of Africa) joined the UN November 12th, 1975!

What better way to celebrate the Howl-idays (see what I did there?) and the last UN Dinner of the 2010s!!! than with 6 friends and 3 poochums and so much Holiday spirit it makes you want to barf?!?!

We made it to Amber's and I began chopping fruit and veggies for a salad and sandwiches.  Even better, Mike starts mixing our Santa Hat cocktails!!!


I was also very exciteded because I picked up half a Jackfruit for my salad, which I can't find very often, and also find absolutely delicious, and Thanasi got to pull it apart, not me.

I feel like the photos are doing a better job at explaining the dinner than I am, so...

So were merry and jolly all thru dinner.  Some of us more merry than others while playing Camel Up.  And after a spontaneous trip to get some froyo minutes before they close.

Dinner: 41
Country:53
Celebrated: December 14th, 2019