Every now and then you have the opportunity to try something amazing. Caviar is one of those delicacies that we should serve for very special occasions. Crown St Grocer can order this caviar in for you with a few days notice. I had the opportunity to try it and work with it and after much research and deliberation I chose to make a ridiculously lavish starter to serve with drinks before a dinner party. The scallops work well with the caviar and the lime and jalepeno aioli really give it some kick.

So first lets start off with the caviar. To quote wikipedia, “Caviar, sometimes called black caviar, is a luxury delicacy, consisting of processed, salted, non-fertilized sturgeon roe. The roe can be “fresh” (non-pasteurized) or pasteurized, the latter having much less culinary and economic value.” Please don’t get this confused with Salmon roe it really isn’t the same thing, or in the same league in my opinion. And the connoisseurs among you all will also know that you should never use a metal spoon because it will taint the flavour. I don’t have the correct ‘mother of pearl’ spoon so I resort to a small plastic one that has been thoroughly cleaned and dried. I also encourage you to try it as is, so that you have some idea of the basic taste. It really is worth it. Okay then on to the recipe. I have done this the simple way, if you want to go all out and make your own fresh aioli then go for it.