Today I made 2 starter plates of shellfish with homemade mayonnaise (sorry Clair!) & Carrageen Moss Pudding served with an Irish Coffee Sauce.

First up the pudding, it isnt really what I would call a pudding it's a set custardy type dessert. The setting agent comes from the carrageen which is dried seaweed (a suitable gelatine substitute for vegetarians). Milk, sugar, vanilla & carrageen infuse in a pot, the moss & pod get removed and egg yolk is beaten in. Finally stiffly whipped egg white is folded in and its left to set. Surprisingly nice, the Irish coffee sauce helps though!

Next I made my mayonnaise - this is muscle strengthening work and I have a constant fear that I'll add too much oil at once and it will split - so far so good!

Then on to my shellfish. I cooked some shrimp (while they tried to jump to freedom), washed oysters & mussels. Cooked clams & mussels. Prepared a sea urchin - poor little guy was still alive & I was scraping his head and poking at him

I've decided I definitely don't like the whole shellfish thing so didn't eat any of it! I think my presentation looked good & that Jai would be happy with this photo & I got full marks for my pudding so Im happy.