Treats from home

Getting behind again. There is a fair amount to catch up on...

Mrs Jiffler returned from Lincolnshire with sausages and pin wheels as requested. A wedge of Lincolnshire poacher comes smoked, giving it a more brittle texture which lends itself to jiffling hands breaking off chunks for a nibble everytime the fridge door is opened.

We both head up to Wales at the weekend to visit my folks. My Dad has prepared a fish pie for us, with the last of the peas from the garden. This is about as close to food heaven as Mrs Jiffler can imagine - the concept of fish, in a pie form, with peas turns Mrs Jiffler's eyes into saucers.

Dad has sneaked some mussels into the pie which add a bit of colour and make things a bit more special. I note that he has been more generous than usual with the parsley after my previous feedback. Good. A bottle of bubbly is opened to celebrate Mrs Jiffler's new job in Senegal, and we start to unwind after the long car journey.

On Saturday we head to a food and craft fair on a country estate near the menai straits. Sadly it was a bit underwhelming, with only a few stalls. We still escape with bara brith, mango chutney, some jam, and a few Welsh cakes to share. Heading off to Betws y Coed we scoff trays of hot, salty chips standing in the cold by the river.

Its been a few years since I last visited the Bull in Beaumaris for a meal in the Bistro. Its probably Anglesey's finest eatery (there is a flash restaurant above) and I'm hoping that standards are still high.

A few specials tempt us, and I go for local mussels in cider. Mrs Jiffler opts for a bizarre but delicious potato salad tower thing, Mum and Dad play safe with good portions of smoked salmon and chicken livers respectively (although Dad pinches a couple of mussels from my bowl).
Dad and I both opt for the belly pork main - this is a serious and even piece of meat, with crackling just right. Our portion is fist sized and comes floating on smooth mash. Mrs Jiffler attempts the Turbot special, which comes pan fried, skin side up, and thoroughly healthy looking, while my mother provokes jealousy around the table with her enormous portion of lamb with a rustic Italian
style red wine and bean sauce. we all steal some of her chips in revenge,

Shared ice creams and another round of drinks bring the night to a close. Stilll the best on the Island.