north st. deli

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Day 1165 To dream the impossible dream

I was too busy sleeping this morning to remember to wake up on time. I love dreamland, there was a point last year when I was so enamoured by my dreams I was napping whenever I could in the hopes of experiencing a whole new world. I’d guess because my brain is always doing over time i’m nearly always guaranteed an entertaining dream, sometime I even speak when i’m in slumber, no surprise there.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Rosemary + lemon rice

Beef ragu pasta

Soup: Spiced sweet potato + tomato

Day 1164 On my mind

Most of my day is spent thinking about food. This makes sense as I work in a food establishment but I liken everything to food, my joy relies heavily of the meals I eat. I found myself in an irritated mood yesterday and I realised it’s because I skipped lunch, can you imagine?! The card machine went down and I was too busy trying to fix it that my lunch window closed. While some might resort to a snack or quick bite I forgo the occasion because food should be savoured not just devoured!

Salads:

Black bean + aubergine

Crispy tofu rice

Roast squash + rosemary pasta

Soup: Sweetcorn, ginger + tomato

Day 1163 Mood to mindset

Another dreary start in London but I’m feeling content. The slightly warmer weather last week reminded me of the small joys that summer brings and though this week is set to be grey, my mood is not. There will always be tedious tasks to execute, the difference is the state of mind. The difference between my mood now and the same time last year is night and day. It might forecast grey skies, but the sun is shining in my head. Blessings.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Spinach + herb rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Bean, tomato + spinach

Sandwich: Parma ham, Provola piccante, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1162 And the list goes on

And we’ve made it to the end of the week, what a peaceful week it was. The spring clean was productive and very dusty, i’m no where near finished. There’s always going to be something else that needs to be done, life moves fast and tasks accumulate and fester. I have a long list yet to conquer but i’m noting them down and getting through them, finally.

Salads:

Harissa spiced white beans

Spinach + herb rice

Roast vegetable pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 1161 Spring clean

With Spring creeping in it’s time to get cleaning. Bits and bobs have a way of accumulating and at this point I could open a second hand shop with the amount of odds and sods we have lying around. This evening I will start the very necessary cleanse. We can’t move forward and evolve if we have to manoeuvre around all the trinkets of our past.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower + split peas

Ginger + lemon rice

Mushroom + tomato pasta

Soup: Spiced spinach + tomato

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

Day 1160 Sun is shining

I heard a whisper that the sun might make an appearance for the next few days and apparently she’s bringing some heat! I went to check out this rumour and saw a lot of raindrops due for next week. Let’s take in these rays while they’re here. We all know too well that the good times don’t last long. In saying this, we’re 3 months into this year and i’m still chipper! Harah!

Salads:

Black bean + sweet potato curry

Rice salad

Spring green pasta

Soup: Lightly spiced sweet potato + ginger

Day 1159 Maybe you're the asshole

If you are the type of person that parks their lime bike across the pavement so that it impedes the pedestrians I hope you have an awful day. I hope no one is kind to you and that you are surrounded by people that look out for number one. Selfish people, because you are a selfish person. Genuinely help me understand why I must be kind to a person that sees no issue with parking their rented bike across the pavement? Scum.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Carrot + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Broccoli, chilli + garlic

Sandwich: Milano salami, Raclette cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 1158 Monday rush

I feel like I watched a ton of desperate housewives this weekend but i’m only on season 3! The week ahead is not looking very entertaining. I enjoy Monday’s because the chores of the week have no yet unveiled themselves but today, that is not the case. The ‘to do’s’ are piling up so I need to get a head start. Now i’m one of you, to hell with Monday’s.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced chickpea curry

Sumac rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Soup: Indian spiced vegetables

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

Day 1157 Manners maketh man

Manners are so much more than just please and thank you. It’s the way you carry yourself, the demeaner you perpetuate to the people around you. We stereotype as a way to protect ourselves, constantly convincing your mind to trust the person that stands before you. But many of those people who we convince ourselves to trust deceive us, with the surface level manners that are please and thank you.

Salads:

Black lentil curry

Ginger + turmeric rice

Beef ragu pasta

Veggie pasta bake

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1156 Long live the Big Smoke

The weather is giving misery but London is built for this. It’s easy to get consumed by such a large city. There’s so many people and they’re all on the go but when I get to travel to other cities I find I fall in love with London again. There’s so much green space, there’s always something to do and if you slow down a little, you’ll find there is community. You just need to find it.

Salads:

Chickpea + squash curry

Lemongrass rice

Tomato, french bean + basil pasta

Soup: Med veg

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Gorgonzola, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1155 Old vs new

We will have a newbie behind the counter today, I hope we make a good first impression. Who knows what’ll walk through that door (customers that is). I had a great check in this morning with my Turkish babe from down under. Life moves faster than we expect. Whenever I think i’m stagnant, a good with her will always remind me of what I was vs what I am now. The glow up is crazy.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Red pepper rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Spiced chickpea + mushroom

Sandwich: Speck ham, Pecorino cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1154 Another Tuesday

It was one of those mornings where I had no desire to hop out of bed but i’m here and i’m proud of myself. I finally got round to writing up my review of Bubala which is now on the blog. Pardon my poor grammar. I gave Moose a trim yesterday, which is always chaotic, he’s not the best client so he’s looking a little choppy but luckily he’s still got personality!

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric chickpea

Leek, black olive + tomato rice

Smokey aubergine pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Pastrami, brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 1154 Bon weekend

We’re home safe and sound from the far off land of France. It was a successful weekend i’d say. We felt like we were away for longer than just one night. The main attraction being food, the weekend consisted mainly of cafe hopping. Ideal. It really solidifies to me that the British food market needs to up it’s game, we don’t care about food enough and when a provider does care, they slap a heavy price tag on it.

Salads:

Braised red peppers + white bean

Spinach + herb rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 1153 Mini backpack moment

When in school, a teacher told us tales of how she’d travel whenever she could. She encouraged us to go forth and discover the world with the promise that the education would be priceless. Spontaneous weekends away are always on my mind but i’ve always made excuses (and a world wide pandemic shut boarders for a long while). My mystical Dragon came to me with a want to get out there, so we’ll be in France this weekend. Hopefully it’s a bon voyage!

Salads:

Black bean in black bean sauce

Oriental rice salad

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

Soup: Spiced tomato

Sandwich: Bacon, Cheddar, Onion relish + tomato

Day 1152 What is a sponsor?

I’ve been watching desperate housewives, one of them is struggling with alcohol so she has a sponsor. Inevitably said sponsor becomes her friend, this always seems the case with any show you watch (with this subject matter). Of course they do, because a sponsor is just a friend, a confidant, someone you confide in that is separate to the rest of your life. Someone who comes to you with an open heart and a common knowledge that it’s easier to numb yourself with vices rather than facing troubles head on. Sad that some people don’t have that.

Salads:

Five spiced aubergine + black bean

Pink ginger + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Leek + potato

Day 1151 Food glorious food

I meant to say impromptu dinner, importune has a VERY different meaning, spelling is important kids. I was querying one of my customers on the evolution of their child’s eating habits and he told me ‘She loves a cheddar sandwich, we tried her with Comte but she’s just not having it…too nutty’. How middle class. However it’s important to introduce your offspring to the complexities of food while they’re young in the hopes that they won’t be so picky when they’re older. On that, Bubula provided a lot to talk about, I will post my review later in the week.

Salads:

Peri peri cauliflower

Carrot + dill rice

Sausage + ham pasta (gnocchi)

Soup: Broccoli + tomato

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

Day 1150 Is it worth the hype?

In an effort to make Tuesday’s something to look forward to I have booked an importune dinner for us musketeers! Bubala. It’s all the rage in the restaurant world and i’m yet to sink my teeth in. I’m intrigued to see if they can elevate what is already a top tier cuisine, add in that it’s a vegetarian eatery and you got yourself a challenge. Mother is the perfect accomplice as she is no stranger to creating a veggie meal that satisfies the most carnivorous humans.

Salads:

Ginger + turmeric chickpea curry

Lemon + chilli rice

Courgette, tomato + basil pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + ginger

Day 1149 Simple pleasures

I had a busier weekend than usual. Saturday was devoted to DIY and dogs, my Sunday was traditionally English as I had a roast dinner! I know this is a regular affair so a lot of households but for me it’s a luxury. I was in a vortex of joy as I chowed down on my roast beef and customary sides. All in all i’d say it was a pretty perfect weekend.

Salads:

Roast squash + white bean

Spicy sumac rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Cauliflower + potato

Sandwich: Cooked ham, Smoked mozzarella, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 1148 Keep on keeping on

Spring is so close I can taste it! Friday has rolled around again and wile i’m a little stressed because the conclusion to the week is always hectic, i’m gassed for the weekend. Nothing major is set in place but I have a few tasks that i’ve been gagging to complete. My resolution was to try and avoid procrastination, we’re still on track.

Salads:

Sweet potato coconut curry

Korean chilli + miso rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Day 1147 Stay curious

The saying goes ‘curiosity killed the cat’ but what do we take away from this? Do we shy away from the unknown? or do we go forth with trepidation? The latter is inevitable, it’s the quintessential homosapien trait. It is unnatural to stay put, both physically and mentally. You’re not inspired by the ones that go with the herd, you’re envious of the few that push the boat out and explore. You should ponder why the cat was so curious rather than berate the feline for their inquisitive ways.

Salads:

Mushroom cacciatore

Rainbow rice

Artichoke + almond pesto pasta

Soup: Vegetable madras

Sandwich: Garlic salami, Provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato