[jennakortan]

I am hosting an engagement for my best friend (the bride) who has expensive taste. She wants Sturgeon caviar and sushi at the party, but I'm on a budget. first of all, how do I prepare caviar? And where do I get it? Is there a decent brand that is affordable? I need some help! any input would be fantastic!

[Debbie]

Good caviar should be eaten as it comes from the container with a bone or shell spoon.

It is quite expensive - especially if you are catering to a lot of people.

Maybe you could prepare canapes garnished with a little roe instead? Things like blinis or baby potatoes with creme fraisch and salmon, trout or other fish roe on top would be nice. Also thick slices of cucumber with a dab of creme fraisch and a piece of smoked salmon topped with a wafer thin piece of lemon and a garnish of roe.

If your friend wants the good stuff, then maybe she should be paying for it herself....
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If you cannot feel your arteries hardening, eat more cheese. If you can, drink more red wine. Diet is just "die" with a "t" on the end. Exercise is walking into the kitchen.

[simona]

If she is indeed your best friend, she should not ask for caviar knowing that you are on a budget. Expensive taste does not mean good taste. Does she even know how much caviar costs?
Asking for sushi AND caviar, - that's snobbishness.
Sorry for being so blunt. I entirely back Debbie with her reasonable and delicious suggestions.
Have a nice party,

No more war, maybe then caviar will be more affordable ( especially as caviar comes mainly from Iran and Russia)

[David]

I agree with simona and Debbie. I'm sure she is going to be a lovely bride but the occasion seems to have made her lose sense of proportion!

Caviar, the real stuff, is horrendously expensive, there is no such thing as "cheap" caviar.

But there is nothing wrong with decent fish roes, and an attractive presentation can be made using red, golden and black fish roes. Now even these don't necessarily come cheaply but following Debbie's suggestions the little containers can be stretched and made extremely attractive--and the lovely salty fishy sea-burst will still cause thrills.

For an interesting selection of caviars and roes this mail order house seems to have everything one could imagine! www.markys.com
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Vivant Linguae Mortuae!!

[Griffin]