If you ever crave caviar but feel like you need a bank loan to afford the good stuff, you’ll want to know about the new line of domestic farmed whitefish roes by Tsar Nicoulai, an importer and purveyor of caviar. Its whitefish roes aren’t dead- ringers for high-end caviar, nor do they pretend to be: they’re milder and mellower. American Golden whitefish roe (a sunny yellow color) and Tiger Eye whitefish roe (an earthy brown that reminds me of top-grade caviar) taste pleasantly of the sea. The eggs are tiny and crunchy—they taste worlds apart from the overly salted, shelf-stabilized roe sold in supermarkets.

These domestic whitefish roes are an easy and affordable way to add a special touch to simple foods. Try a dab on a cracker with crème fraîche or on a sliced avocado. Stir some into a butter sauce; spoon a portion onto a baked potato or a poached salmon fillet; or add a dollop or two to warm sliced potatoes tossed with white wine and olive oil.

Also worth a try is Tsar Nicoulai’s new line of flavored roes seasoned with beet juice, saffron, and ginger. Try Tsar Nicoulai on the Web at www.tsarnicoulai.com or by calling 800-952-2842.