Day 715 TLC

I decided to treat myself to some TLC last night. Face mask, hot shower, cuticle care, fat spliff etc. Woke up this morning (praise the lord) and felt sloth like. Got to work and it’s been pedal to the metal ever since. I don’t think any amount to TLC will ever wash away the stress of this little deli in Old Town. Anyway, now I’m going to unpack 100kg of chickpeas.

Salads:

Smokey lentils + aubergine

Sumac rice

Pork + beef ragu pasta

Panzanella styled salad with roast mushroom + salted ricotta

Soup: Courgette, rosemary + potato

Day 714 Pathetic fallacy

What a morning. A letter has been written to be returned to the nameless stranger, we will update you as the story unfolds. As for deli news and forecast, there’s a general lack of patience in the air and it’s set to rain later on which means it will be a hectic rush. Try to encourage people to move inside the premises to get out of the moist exterior. Enjoy the show, it’s set to be an interesting one.

Salads:

Thai spiced black eyed beans

Ginger + miso rice

Courgette, tomato, spinach + pea pasta

Spiced bean curd noodle salad

Soup: Celeriac + apple

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 713 Stranger danger

Everyone has a morning commute. Same route, similar time almost everyday. We see the same faces that have the same routine as you but you don’t know their destination or even who they are. Now imagine one of these recurring strangers passes you a note with random poetry on it with no explanation…what would you do the next time you see them?

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Spinach + herb rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Chicken, bacon + potato braise

Soup: Sweet potato, tomato + ginger

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Smoked mozzarella, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 712 Fungi

We eat food and we don’t think about what it does to our bodies when our digestive system breaks it down. Like milk, what does it do when it’s inside us? What effects does it have on us? I ate some mushrooms this weekend and then about an hour after consuming the fungi my brain was in another dimension. Who discovered that and then managed to convince people to come along for the journey? I might add them into my next spag bowl…would make for a fun dinner party.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Spinach + potato bake

Soup: Indian spiced vegetable

Day 711 Tired talk

Honey child I am tired. Debates have been in full force this morning and this has not helped with my sleepy state of mind. However, your girl has a job to do, not only that, but I have to cater a weekend in the Cotswolds which I am gagging for. I expect to see more patriotism outside the M25 which will enrage me slightly but I’m mentally prepped and ready to sensor myself.

Salads:

Med veg chickpeas

Spinach + herb rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Roast carrot salad with dill + salted ricotta dressing

Soup: Indian spiced red lentil

Day 710 Purple rain

It looks like it’s going to rain all weekend. This is great news for the coronation (f*ck the festivities there’s plenty of tourist attractions in this country we don’t need these gammon figure heads) but a soaking mess for my bank holiday weekend. My friends and I are going to the Cotswolds for a green adventure (this is a weed reference). Hopefully the weatherman is wrong.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Rainbow rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Chickpea, paneer + potato curry

Soup: Vegetable madras

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 709 Hip Hip Hooray

We were so busy yesterday I didn’t get a chance to write my thoughts down. May 1st was not only MY birthday but also the Deli’s 20th birthday. 2 decades of deli. It’s hard to believe. I’ve grown up here, my whole life has revolved around North Street. Looking back is bittersweet. In a way the deli broke my family but it also made me into the demigod that I am today. Happy Birthday North St. Here’s to another 20 years!

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Med veg spiced cracked wheat

Soup: Miso green vegetables

Day 708

Michela is very behind with work, for this reason there’s going to be no quick quip about her bank holiday weekend.

Salads:

Braised aubergine + pinto beans

Lemon, garlic + spinach rice

Courgette, rosemary + tomato pasta

Korean spiced pork egg noodles

Soup: Thai spiced vegetables

Sandwich: Fennel Salame, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish, tomato

Day 707 Sketchy

When I first got my sketchers I was in love with them. They’re seen to be a bit naff but I don’t care, I can make anything fashionable. I’ve been having some problems with my ankles, when I say problems I mean they keep clicking out of place which is extremely painful. Camilla Cabello, Jaimie Redknapp and Kim Kardasian, they’re lying to you, Sketchers are the devils shoe.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Ginger + carrot rice

Tomato + French bean pasta

Roast vegetable panzanella

Soup: Tomato, white bean + ginger

Sandwich: Parma ham, Fontina cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 706 Back to the iron

Not a great result yesterday but it seems Frankie is at peace, which is all that matters. My body has been in recovery for the last week and a half, though I don’t feel 100% I will still be going to the gym this evening. I can’t let anything get in the way of gaining season my dudes.

Salads:

Tuscan white beans

Lemon, garlic + rosemary rice

Roast mushroom ragu pasta

Spinach + ricotta bake

Soup: Carrot, ginger + sriracha

Day 705 The big game

We have a canape job to execute today but my mind is elsewhere. Man city v Arsenal. I support neither but Frankie does. If Arsenal lose it will be a day or mourning tomorrow, no jokes, no cute quips. This is war people and one must prevail. God help us all.

Salads:

Five spiced veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Courgette + tomato pasta

Chilli beef + potato

Soup: Indian spiced cauliflower + potato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 704 Slow

I’ve been sandwiching it up all morning and now i’m in a rush to post this menu so the crowds know what goodness is in store today. I had a lot of unexpected visitors but it was all positive encounters so i’m in a good mood. Now the rush, my computer hasn’t got the memo and it’s lagging.

Salads:

Chickpea + cauliflower curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Jackfruit salad

Soup: Tuscan tomato + pepper

Day 703 Work it

A strange weekend to say the least. Like I mentioned, we were working all weekend but inbetween the catering I had a couple of unexpected calls that made for some interesting conversations. Today is a new week and we are just as busy. Wish me luck!

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Red pepper rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Salted ricotta lentils

Soup: Roast squash + ginger

Sandwich: Chorizo, Pecorino, Sundried tomato + tomato

Day 702 Semi retired

I’m so grateful we don’t open on weekends. I know you all struggle but without that break we would go crazy (crazier then we already are, imagine that!). Mad and I will be working all weekend and that’s the case for the next few weeks to come. So TGIF but not really.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Leek + dill rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Sweet potato, ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Parma ham, Fontina cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 701 All falls down

I’m falling apart and so is the deli. I’m just being dramatic, but there’s just one problem after another. Yesterday’s big problem was when our neighbours tree fell into our garden (the garden is not in use today). Thank God that no one was out there. Anyway onwards and downwards I guess.

Salads:

Thai spiced coconut curry

Miso + tofu rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Indian spiced spinach + potato curry

Soup: Indian spiced red lentil

Day 700 Full speed ahead

The sun is slowly starting to appear in London, this means one thing…BBQ. It’s one thing to slap some meat and veggie skewers on the barbi but what about sides? Here comes the catering orders. Summer is a stressful season for us, and I have to prioritise peoples salad orders over my social life. Woe is me.

Salads:

Chickpea curry with cumin roasted beetroot

Ginger + sweetcorn rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Indian spiced chickpea + vegetables

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Pecorino cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 699 Passed

I passed my theory test. I’d like to thank my mother, my best friend, my dog and me. And Bagel King on Walworth Road for providing my celebratory meal. Apple crumble and custard will always be the dessert that warms my heart. Genuinely in shock that I passed.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Ginger + carrot rice

Spinach + pea pasta

Roast vegetable panzanella

Soup: Cumin roasted tomato + spinach

Day 698 And again

Here we go people, new week, same shite. The weekend felt endless (in a good way). I socialised with many beings and now i’m a little numb from the constant conversations that took place this weekend. My favourite part was watching trashy TV with the love of my life. You might know them as Dragon. (I doubt any of you will understand this, but you know who dragon is)

Salads:

Paprika pepper + black eyed peas

Sundried tomato + olive rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Korfean spiced pork egg noodles

Soup: Miso vegetables

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Provola cheese, apple relish + tomato

Day 697 Spring is coming

Even though it was a 4 day week it felt like a full shift. Spring is coming and so are the garden parties. I spend most of my morning at my desk emailing people about catering and then I go upstairs and i’m back in the real world and I find it hard to adjust. My eyes have been locked on a screen for hours, I’m starting to see the pixels in people faces!

Salads:

Roast aubergine + black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Roast mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Thai spiced bean + sweet potato

Sandwich Milano salami, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 696 Calm

It has been a very busy morning. I would attribute my calm state of mind to my yoga last night. It was very enjoyable but challenging. I can’t say it’s going to be my new hobby but I now have an appreciation for the way it can slow you down and make you stop and take time for yourself. but again i’ve not converted.

Salads:
Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Leek, Black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Carrot, ginger + Korean chilli

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Provola piccante, Red onion relish + tomato