My apologies to those of you who actually enjoy it!

19 May - Solution for the last clue and the next cryptic crossword clue

Send in lady to reform theme park (10)

Solution – Disneyland

Disneyland is obviously a theme park.  And if you "reform" ie re-arrange the letters in "send in lady" you can also get to Disneyland.  One of the great things about cryptic clues is that you usually know when you have solved it because both parts of the clue point to the same word.

Today’s cryptic crossword clue – solution tomorrow

Be unsteady, unwell during leave (9)

Hint – this is a container clue

Hot tea smoked mullet

I had intended to post about smoking salmon but the better half caught a yellow-eyed mullet while surfcasting and so mullet it was!

We have a very basic and inexpensive smoker. You could even do it in a wok although I would never recommend doing this inside – your house would be smelling of smoke forever. And be sure to wear old clothes when you are doing this you will smell smoked!

The smoker has 2 little cups which are put underneath which you fill with meths and light. Be careful!

The smoke mix was equal quantities of brown sugar, long grained white rice and tea leaves (I used green tea and lemon but you could use whatever you have). For this fish I used 50g of each. Don't put it straight onto the bottom of the smoker – it will be impossible to clean out. Make a foil container for it with the sides folded up so it can't escape.

You just put your tea mix onto the bottom of the smoker which is then put over the lit containers of meths (methylated spirits). Once it starts to smoke put your fish on the rack over the tea mix. On with the lid and let it smoke for no more than 15 minutes. 12 might have been even better.

Then lift the box off the heat source (using oven gloves – it's stinking hot) and let it sit for 20 minutes – it will still smoke a bit and the fish will be easier to handle when it's a bit cooled.

As you can see it gave the fish great colour (I think that is the effect of the brown sugar). Because I put some seasoned lemon slices into the middle of the fish it didn't dry out too much.

I served this at room temperature accompanied by a simple green salad.

 

Our vintage poster is from Spain today