Adding...

[melv16]

... coconut oil to gherkins, oysters and olives makes it easier to get them in the bin:-)

[alavahalf]

Nooo ... I would sooner chew a slab of snot !

[LadyCG]

You don't chew them, alavahalf, you put them in your mouth and nip them to open them up and then swallow them whole.

[pastafreak]

Raw oysters have never tempted me. I've had clams on the half shell back in N.Y. Once was enough.

[Jackdaw33]

Never had clams, or scallops.

[melv16]

http://www.issc.org/risks-of-eating-raw-oysters-or-clams
Nuff said.

[pastafreak]

Scallops are lovely. I particularly like the little queen scallops.

[alavahalf]

Have just had 8 roast veg and a pork chop seriously spiced. I am sticking with my veg .. I really worry about dubious shellfish.

[LadyCG]

OH and I went to the Union Oyster House in Boston but I didn't try the Oysters.

I think you can get some great oysters and Guiness in Blackpool, from what I've been told.

[jourdain2]

At dinner once with a French couple, who had been top-class traiteurs near La Rochelle for many years, I was taught about oysters. You tip out any juice, pop them in your mouth with a cube of a sweet bread, bite and chew a couple of times before swallowing with a sweet wine (whose name I sadly forget). I liked them, but, if you don't, then the alternative of placing an oyster in half it's shell, sprinkled with herbs and flash-cooking under the grill for about 20 seconds tastes wonderful. Chacun a son gout!

[jourdain2]

Pasta - scallops and bacon bits are a match made in heaven!

[alavahalf]

Jourdain .. you have to admit that the french are a tad more adventurous when it comes to eating than the British. When you describe oysters done with the bread and wine it almost sounds palatable. We have family who have lived in in France for 15 years. They will eat anything that is half alive .. they just love a horse steak in a puddle of blood. When it comes to pork they are looking for the extra fat, not the pork ! .. They are always inviting us over for a holiday .. we have just about run out of excuses not to go !

[Jackdaw33]

I can eat almost anything French but I draw the line at steak tartare. Raw mince topped with raw egg do not appeal.

[ummmm]

Raw fillet steak finely chopped.

[alavahalf]

No No No ... we are talking dog food now .. it's no wonder why I wont go to France.

[tonyav]

I think that I would starve to death in France.

[alavahalf]

You might be okay tony .. wine, bread and cheese?

[tonyav]

Swap the wine for beer.

[melv16]

Don't think Tony will be joining the gravy train:-)

[tonyav]

Alright alright, no need for that, melv. ( anyhoo I bet the French are to French for gravy ).

[melv16]

The froggies eat jus, Tony. As do the middle classes in this country.