Toffs And Tastings

I really feel I am getting into full flow now writing Trouble At Toff Towers II - Another Heap (working title) and if there is one thing I need every now and then to keep me going it's a good hot chilli washed down with (copious amounts of) red wine. We grow our own chillies and, due to last year's bumper crop, still have half a freezer full. However, on checking said freezer yesterday, it seemed we had run out of minced beef. So, we headed into Pafos and entered one of our favourite shops: Butcher Boy.

A visit to Butcher Boy, especially early evening on a Friday or Saturday, is like attending a little party. We were greeted warmly at the meat counter by Bogdan who proceeded to weigh out the required amount of minced beef whilst insisting we helped ourselves to a selection of savoury snacks. These included chicken wings with a choice of sauces (spicy Caribbean or barbecue), small spare ribs and a selection of savoury sausage slices. Our starters!

I drifted across to the deli counter where I intended to pick up some cole slaw but got rather distracted by a selection of creamy dips (four different kinds) and biscuits. OH was being responsible (at this point) and had headed over to the chiller cabinet to pick up the chicken joints which were also on our shopping list. However, it wasn't long before he joined me at the deli counter. He wanted pate. But which one? After tasting several (thank you Bogdan) we settled on the wild boar. Delicious with the sample of white wine we were "forced" to try (Bogdan can be very persuasive).

We also decided we should get some cheese. I can't quite remember who actually decided this. Could have been me. Could have been OH. More than likely it was Bogdan. Bogdan is very generous with his cheese samples. We tried goat's cheese with cranberries (two kinds), Stilton and Manchego which, according to Bogdan, is perfect with red wine. He's right. We know this because he gave us each a large sample to prove it! We duly decided to purchase a (large) piece of the Stilton and a (few) bottle(s) of the red.

We headed to the till, stopping on the way for a warm and friendly hug from the lady owner of the shop, paid for our purchases and headed home. On the way we were having a giggle about the time we bought some casserole beef from Butcher Boy. The electronic scale can only print out a limited number of characters on the label so it looked like we were in possession of a bag of "extra lean diced bee" (readers of Trouble At Toff Towers will be familiar with my character, Dee Luded, and understand why this amuses me so much).

At home we began to unpack our shopping and discovered we'd left the mince behind. Not that it mattered. Hardly surprisingly we were no longer hungry. Plus it means we can go back to Butcher Boy later today. Can't wait!