Caviar Set Up For Mom

With a few helpful tips, you can set up a beautiful and luxurious caviar spread for your mom, wife, sister, girlfriend, or any special lady. A caviar set up is also a lovely treat to serve at bridal showers, baby showers, engagement parties…you get the idea.

Caviar set up with a glass bowl with ice and a small jar of caviar, small clear bowls with choppe egg yolk, chopped egg white, chopped capers, cream fraiche with chives, minced scallions, and a bowl of mini blini and a plate of potato chips.

What Is Caviar?

Caviar set up with a close up view of a clear bowl with ice and a small jar of Osetra caviar and a mother of pearl spoon.

Caviar is unfertilized fish eggs that have been salt-cured. To truly be caviar, the eggs are harvested from sturgeon in the Caspian and Black seas. Nowadays, caviar is produced in many areas of the world, and is often farm-raised.

Eggs from other types of fish, like salmon, are not truly caviar; it’s roe.

What Does Caviar Taste Like?

Caviar should not be overly salty or fishy. Instead, it should have a mild, buttery, rich, bright, subtle, and briny flavor, like seaweed or oysters.

The eggs will feel firm and pop in the mouth, producing a velvety, rich feel. Indulging in caviar is such a treat, so elegant and luxurious, that it should be savored.

How To Store Caviar

Caviar should ALWAYS be chilled – opened or unopened.

If you buy the caviar online, it must be shipped with cold packs and in an insulated container.

If you purchase this delicacy locally, bring a small cooler or ice chest filled with ice to transport it home.

Once home, store the caviar in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

Don’t open the caviar container until you plan on serving it. Its shelf life is limited. Unopened caviar will last in the refrigerator for three, maybe four, weeks. Once opened, eat the remaining caviar as quickly as possible, but definitely within three days.

How Much Caviar Will I Need?

Caviar is expensive and considered a luxury. Think of it more as a condiment.

As a rule of thumb, for serving the caviar with a ‘full setup,’ figure on half an ounce to one ounce per person.

If you’re serving the caviar alone, you will need 1-2 full ounces per person…and maybe a bank loan.

What Do I Need For A Caviar Setup?

Caviar, of course. I like Osetra caviar, but whatever type you enjoy, get the highest quality you can find and afford.
Crushed ice for serving the caviar.
Creme Fraiche or sour cream. Creme Fraiche is a thick, tangy version of sour cream. You can find it in the dairy aisle of your grocery store. It’s worth the effort to locate it.
Fresh dill or scallions to add a bit of zest. I prefer minced scallions.
Small capers – adds briny depth. Try to find the smallest capers.
Hard-boiled egg – chop and serve the whites and yolk separately.
Blinis are bite-sized Russian pancakes, sometimes made from buckwheat. You can make your own, grab them at a gourmet or specialty store, or order them online.
Toasted mini Brioche slices.
Mini boiled potatoes, sliced in halves or into small rounds.
Potato chips – not elegant, but delicious! This is my favorite way to enjoy caviar. I’ve seen people on TikTok using Cool Ranch Doritos! Yum!

Tips For A Perfect Caviar Set Up

Plan on at least three toppers and two serving vehicles (potatoes, blinis, etc.)
Remove the caviar from the refrigerator and let it sit out for 10 minutes to achieve the perfect texture.
Serve the caviar in a glass container or leave it in its original jar. Place the bowl or jar over crushed ice to keep it as cold as possible.
Don’t use a metal spoon for the caviar. Metal will oxidize the caviar and give it an ‘off’ flavor. Instead, use a spoon made from mother of pearl, glass, ceramic, or even a plastic spoon.

What To Drink With Caviar

Champagne is always a good choice. Pick one that’s as dry as possible.
Frozen vodka shots. Keep that bottle of vodka in the freezer and remove it just before serving.
Classic, dry gin martini. The gin cuts through the buttery richness of the caviar, while the vermouth enhances the briny nuances of the eggs.
Sake. A premium sake is a surprising and original twist. The sake’s dry, yet fruity essence complements, balances, and rounds out the Caviar’s umami flavor.
Mineral or sparkling water. The mineral taste is lovely with the caviar.
Tea – green tea or any light-bodied tea, unsweetened, pairs wonderfully with the caviar.

Side view of a serving of caviar one on a potato chip and one on a blini. There is a pink glass of champagne and the caviar set up tray in the background.

Ideas For Leftover Caviar

I’m of the mindset of never having any leftover caviar, but if you do, here are some ideas to enjoy every last bit of the expensive and luxurious caviar.

Scrambled eggs: Drizzle cream fraiche over the eggs and top with a dollop of caviar and minced chives.
Seared scallops: A scallop topped with a bit of caviar and a chive epitomizes sophistication.
Caviar sandwich: Lightly toast and butter thin slices of brioche bread. Spread a smear of caviar on one piece and top with the second piece.
Top a steak with butter and a dollop of caviar. Sprinkle chives as a garnish.
Stir into pasta with butter and chives. Top with freshly grated Parmesan.
For a really unexpected sweet and salty delight, top a square of white chocolate with a small dollop of caviar or use a bit of caviar to top ice cream.

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