I hate shopping. When I was a duckling my mother would drag me around and put me in the most uncomfortable garments in the hopes that I would inherit her incredible fashion sense. This backfired because now I live and breath sports wear. I put off buying new clothes until it becomes an absolute necessity because the crowds, bright lights and shop assistants are some of the ingredients in my nightmares.
Salads:
Black bean + sweet potato coconut curry
Miso + ginger rice
Baked bacon pasta
Soup: Spiced chickpea
I’m so uninspired on this windy Tuesday. It’s so difficult to find something positive to talk about. I put my thinking cap on and now i’m just in a pit of despair. Alas, the world keeps turning and I have a job to do, so I can’t hide in the basement all day. Lucky for me, my Mother is a culinary genius who knows how to chef up a meal that will pacify my thoughts.
Salads:
Chickpea + aubergine braise
Red pepper rice
Bacon, artichoke + tomato pasta
Cheesy croutoned bake
Soup: Leek, dill + potato
Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Goats cheese, Shredded beetroot relish, mustard + tomato
My mind is discombobulated today. I have a ton of work to do and yet i’ve sat at my desk for the past half hour just watching the time pass. I could blame this behaviour on neurodiversity but that would just be an excuse for my short comings. Thing is, if I don’t put in the work no one else will so i’m hoping the idea of the stress I will have to encounter will inspire me enough to put my mind, body and soul into 3rd gear.
Salads:
Braised borlotti beans + mushroom ragu
Spinach + herb rice
Tomato, basil + french bean pasta
Med veg + halloumi
Soup: Spiced lentil
Sandwich: Speck ham, Fontina cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato
All I have to do is get through the day. I did not stop yesterday and that has left me yearning for my bed. As I unpacked the bread order this morning all I could see was the literal mountain of work I have committed myself to. Game face on I’m ready to carpe diem bitches.
Salads:
Med veg lentils
Sumac rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Sweetcorn + tomato
Sandwich: Roast lamb, Manchego cheese, Spicy peach relish + dill pickles
So i’ve been watching a bit of anime as of late and I’m really getting into it. I can appreciate the stunning animation but i’ve never been into the fantasy of it all. However, with the world in such a dire state anime makes for a great form of escapism, rather than watching a true crime drama. I don’t want to be reminded that there are a multitude of sicko’s in my vicinity!
Salads:
Peperonata + white beans
Tomato + basil rice
Roast squash ragu pasta
Soup: Tuscan tomato
I think I should start journaling. Not so I can analyse my feelings (I do that enough already) but more so I can recall the countless scenarios I have to endure on a daily. I cope by forgetting about yesterday and not thinking about tomorrow but I worry that I might forget some things completely! If I asked you what was the best day of your life what would be your answer? If it’s your wedding day or the birth of your child then i’d press you to look a little deeper…
Salads:
Mung bean curry
Lemon + garlic rice
Baked veggie pasta
Chickpea, paneer + potato
Soup: Roast mushroom
Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Chilli relish + Tomato
I’m too nice. This might seem like a joke if you consider the way I talk to and about people but I’d still argue that i’m too nice. You see, I was brought up by the most formidable mother who is still the most intelligent person i’ve ever met but we differ when it comes to how to communicate. She will compose an eloquent yet cutting rebuttal to your misconstrued thoughts. I however have given up and so I will try any avenue to get out of giving you my actual opinion.
Salads:
Paprika roasted cauliflower + white bean
Rainbow rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Soup: Spiced vegetable
We’ve had no internet at home all weekend. This is a very first world problem which means every rant i’ve had has been seeped in embarrassment that a lack of WIFI has such an effect on my life. I couldn’t mindlessly scroll through Instagram or google the answer to the many questions that float around my mind. To be fair i’ve just googled ‘why are we going to war with Russia?’ and i’m still none the wiser.
Salads:
Thai spiced coconut curry
Edamame + crispy shallot rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Braised black eyed beans with sausage + ham
Soup: Vegetable madras
Sandwich: Cooked ham, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I’m really feeling the love this week. I’ve received so many compliments which makes for a nice change! I’m awful at receiving compliments, I tend to return with a snarky comment or just an awkward stare but i’m working on it. I hope to improve some of my insecurities this year but this will take some trial and error. I don’t think my interrogative tendencies are a negative but I can understand if it makes you uncomfortable.
Salads:
Mexican beans
Cumin roasted spinach rice
Cauliflower + pumpkin seed pesto pasta
Soup: Spiced lentil + vegetable
I feel like my generation consists of a lot of introverted extroverts. When in our small groups we’re the life of the party but when you go into a foreign space with new people your brain convinces you that you’re not capable of being social. We end up in our routines that comfort us until you get this restless feeling like you’re not seizing life to the fullest. Supposedly, but i’m still content with my little life, for now, supposedly.
Salads:
Braised white bean + tomato
Herbed rice
Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta
Soup: Lightly spiced lentil
Sandwich: Speck ham, Asiago cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato
The whole idea with opening half way through January was to make the month less painful. January is a miserable month and it’s really quiet in the deli. Without the people to serve my mind wonders and it becomes a mission to concentrate so the vibe can go either way today. In other news Dragon and I have started playing scrabble, it has been a delightful pastime for the winter evenings.
Salads:
Moroccan spiced lentils
Sumac + preserved lemon rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Smokey bean + tomato
I have sat at my desk and written countless paragraphs which have all been deleted because I feel they’re a little too political. I seem to start positive every time and then I just go into a thick rant about the oppression in the east. They’re great paragraphs but they might be a little to dark for this drizzly day.
Salads:
Oriental spice aubergine + aduki bean
Miso + ginger rice
Mushroom ragu pasta
Soup: Carrot + ginger
Sandwich: Chorizo, Manchego cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
I had a good weekend, a happy medium between work and pleasure. It can be difficult to maintain a healthy work life balance, this year i’m making a conscious effort to not obsess over the deli and attempt to live a little. For some this might mean travelling or indulging in the luxuries life has to offer. For me it means not spending my ‘free time’ in the basement of 26 North Street.
Salads:
Chilli non carne
Spinach + herb rice
Roast vegetable ragu pasta
Croutoned bake
Soup: Tuscan tomato
When that 15 year old girl died from an allergic reaction to Pret A Manger baguette the government passed Natasha’s allergy law in the hope that no one would needlessly die from ‘badly’ labelled food. Nearly 25,000 have been killed and our government is still endorsing the badly labelled IDF. Who has to die to convince our governing powers that this is not a cause to endorse? Happy Friday y’all.
Salads:
Thai spiced coconut curry
Lemongrass rice
Sausage + ham pasta
Soup: Tomato, Cumin + spinach
Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Spicy peach relish + Tomato
Cor blimey it’s cold! For the most part I like the cold but the mornings are painful. I have to hype myself to get out of bed and face the freeze. I plan my movements so I can get out of bed and throw on clothes with military efficiency. It’s now so cold that I even have to hype Moose to uncoil from his croissant curled sleeping position.
Salads:
Braised chickpeas + med veg
Tomato + dill rice
Leek, black olive + tomato pasta
Potato salad with bacon dressing
Soup: Spiced sweet potato + tomato
Over our break I went to a few eateries in search of top scran. To qualify for top scran I look at price, quality, service and ambience. A lot of places miss the mark somehow and i’ve fallen out of love with the London food scene but this year i’m determined to change that. If you find a gaff that you feel is 10/10 send me the deats. Amrutha Lounge on Garratt Lane deserves a shout out, if you like the deli salads you’ll love this place.
Salads:
Peri peri cauliflower + split peas
Cumin roasted spinach rice
Baked veggie pasta
Soup: Indian spiced sweet potato + chickpea
Sandwich: Spicy salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato
Stepping back into the daily life at the deli has pros and cons. Like you, I missed the food, the ease of being catered for. The probing about the holidays has always unnerved me and i’m not sure why. Usually I become an award winning actor and put on a brave face but yesterday…what a poor performance. I’m defrosted now and ready to take on my next role.
Salads:
Black bean vegetable curry
Ginger + turmeric rice
Courgette, Tomato + basil pasta
Soup: Smokey white bean
Happy new year, how was your Christmas? Just kidding, I don’t care! Instead I want to know who is the cumberground that is leaving their stupid lime bikes directly outside the entrance to the deli? I’m happy to be back at work it just hasn’t sunk in yet. It seems i’ve forgotten how to talk to people and eye contact seems like i’m staring into the soul of a person and who the f*ck would wanna do that?!
Salads:
White bean + roast pepper
Lemon + garlic rice
Tomato + basil pasta
Braised potatoes with sausage + ham
Soup: Med veg + chickpea
Sandwich: Fennel salami, Chilli pecorino, Jalapeno relish + tomato
Here it is, the last day of trading before we close for the festive period. It’s been a tough year. I am honestly grateful for the deli, it’s been a lifeline time and time again and that’s not just because of the food. The deli would be nothing without our customers. It’s easy to take things for granted, forgetting that our necessities are someone else’s luxuries. So I won’t ask Santa for anything this Christmas because i’m thankful for what I have. Happy holidays guys, I can’t wait to see you in the new year! (well… some of you) xx
Salads:
Med veg chickpea
Roast potatoes
Beef ragu pasta
Soup: Spiced bean + tomato
I keep getting asked about my Christmas plans. Now that the date is so close and my responsibilities have lessened I’m starting to get really excited! The down side of this is that I become a chatty patty and forget i’m at work and there are people to serve!
Salads:
Braised bean + mushroom
Red pepper rice
Tomato, basil + courgette pasta
Soup: Bean + tomato