Interesting thread indeed!!! I have cooked several of the items you have mentioned---I WILL NOT do the sweetbread thing, however!!!
You must try the clams/mussels----I was always reluctant to try the mussels but they are fantastic---the cleaning (taking off the beard) is the most difficult/finicky part of the whole process but no big deal. If you try the recipes that cjs recently posted you will have a definite winner and there will be no turning back----if you like seafood!! One of my favorites, for sure.
Billy----creme brulee is sooooo easy and a great treat for a dessert---I have a GREAT recipe from LeCirque that is to die for---will be happy to post---my daughter, can't boil water correctly, made this and it was a huge hit for her dinner party!! You must try at least once---well worth it!!
I think the other apprehension would be foie gras---not a fan of those types of foods--but hubby loves them!! I have made chicken livers etc. (ie. chopped liver) even though I will not eat--something just doesn't appeal to me---YUCK!!! How 'bout haggis??? Or blood sausage???
NO WAY!!!!!!!!!
Ostrich meat is huge here---haven't made it myself but looks very similar to any type of red meat without the cholesterol---I will be happy to send some to you if you're interested. I know that a few yeasrs back there was an entrepeneur from Texas here checking out the farms to begin production there---haven't followed that, though. My daughter mentioned that she saw ostrich meat in the shops in Chicago when she lived there--she is now is Scottsdale, AZ and hasn't mentioned anything in a very long time.
Would love a GREAT piece of American beef though---the product here is extremely lean and not tasty--have to add so many tweaks to up the flavor---but good anyway!!
SNAILS----gotta think about that very long and hard---I have millions in my garden---snails anyone???