Day 418 Give yourself a pat on the back

I went for a cheeky Nando’s yesterday. It genuinely was cheeky because I try and have the mindset of a somewhat normal human being by that I reward myself with fun outings later in the week as a form of reward for making it through this testing life.

Salads:

Aubergine + black bean in black bean sauce

Miso + edamame rice

Fregola with a roast pepper ragu

Baked pasta

Soup: Chickpea · tomato · chilli + garlic

Sandwich: Bresola (cured beef), Provola cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 417 Formaggio

Yesterday didn’t exactly go smoothly but this morning I was greeted with 2 kilo’s of Comte and that’s put me in a great mood. I really am a food addict. Diamonds and gold are nice but get me a kilo or Gorgonzola and I might just shed a tear.

Salads:

Moroccan lentils

Sumac + preserved lemon rice

Chorizo ragu pasta

Roast vegetable panzanella

Soup: Velvet mushroom

Day 416 Let's munch

I ate so much this weekend but I regret NOTHING. I like going on what my family now call ‘food pilgrimages’. This is where I walk to multiple food shops and enjoy a day of heavy eating. London has a huge offering and I won’t get to taste it all but I cover a lot of ground on my walks.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Spinach + herb rice

Leek · black olive + tomato pasta

5 spice tofu chow mein noodles

Soup: Lightly spiced broccoli + potato

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, cheddar, Branston pickle + tomato

Day 415 Box of chocolates

I understand that you never know what mood the staff will be in when you’re going to the deli. In a normal setting, it wouldn’t be something to consider because the staff are always nice and relatively normal. I like to think we’re not too strange and maybe some people enjoy the ‘banter’.

Salads:

Med veg lentil

Rainbow rice

Pea · spinach + cashew pesto pasta

Crab + potato salad

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 414 My bed is calling

I like Thursday’s but I am struggling today. Did I have a mad one last night? No. Gym and too much gaming means I am suffering today. I had to peel myself out of bed this morning after denying that it was time to wake up. I need something or someone to come through those doors and wake a sister up!

Salads:

Thai spiced split pea + sweet potato

Sweet chilli + sweetcorn rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Soup: Cumin roast parsnip + potato

Sandwich: Chorizo, Ermesenda cheese, Sun-dried tomato + fresh tomato

Day 413 Duck, duck, pheasant

After work Mother and I had a bonding session where we plucked pheasants. It was highly educational, I never did dissecting in biology. Dinner was delicious and Moose enjoyed the giblets. I am by my lonesome today so I need to get energised.

Salads:

Chickpea curry with winter root veg

Ginger + turmeric rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Chicken ragu pearl barley

Soup: Sweet potato · ginger + tomato

Sandwich: Pulled lemon chicken, Cheddar, Red cabbage, Tomato + chilli relish

Day 412 It's all fun and games

There are pros and cons to working in a local deli. If you get white girl wasted in the local boozer your actions might come back to haunt you but a pro is that you get gifts from the custom. Today I will receive some freshly shot pheasant. How fun.

Salads:

Roast pepper + white bean

Lemon + herb rice

Roast squash + tomato pasta

Leek · spinach + potato bake

Soup: Lightly spiced red lentil

Day 411 Beef

Before Christmas one of my long standing customers got arsy with me and hadn’t returned since. In the pub on Friday he offered a hand shake to ‘solve’ the bitterness. I don’t know if this is super gen Z of me but that doesn’t cut it I can’t forgive until the dispute is solved.

Salads:

Five spic veg + aduki beans

Ginger + shallot rice

Broccoli · chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Tuscan tomato + mushroom

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Fontina cheese, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 410 First done now the rest

I have a year planner above my computer and it’s so daunting. It shows the entire year ahead, so much room for activities, failure and good times. My goals for the year is to get behind the wheel and obtain an alcohol license. The two things don’t sound good together.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Chicken ragu pasta

Paneer + bean warm salad

Soup: Roast squash + rosemary

Sandwich: Speck ham, fontina cheese, onion relish + tomato

Day 409 Hit me with your best shot

The pain in my legs has slightly worsened, I am now intimidated by stairs. Many people have questioned me on my unusually long nails, the only way it hinders my life is punching. I can’t make a fist. I don’t go around punching things or people often but I don’t like that I can’t…you know?

Salads:

Thai spiced black eyed beans + squash

Kimchi rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Smokey sausage + chickpea

Soup: Indian spiced potato + tomato

Sandwich: Pulled lemon chicken, cheddar, Chilli relish, classic coleslaw + tomato

Day 408 Learning to lift again

My computer let me down yesterday so I couldn’t post the menu, sorry my darlings. I was quite immobile over the Christmas break so I’ve started back at the gym. Jesus help me. I must of looked like a baby giraffe yesterday. My legs are suffering.

Salads:

Paprika roasted cauliflower + lentil

Sumac rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Roast winter veg panzanella

Soup: Cauliflower · potato + turmeric

Day 406 We're back Bitchez

Missed me? Of course you did. I had this plan that if I opened the deli a couple weeks into the new year I would miss out on all the new year conversations. I was wrong. At least most my customers exclaim their ‘happy new years’ with a sarcastic edge.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Herbed rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Soup: Smokey chickpea + tomato

Sandwich: Pastrami beef, Brie, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 405 Happy Birthday

So this is Christmas. Nothing is wrapped, the house is a mess and no prep has been done for Christmas lunch. Perfect. Enjoy this festive period as much as you can. I’d say I love you all but some of you really get under my skin. Buon Natale Bitchez.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Mushroom ragu pasta

Mustard + maple potato salad

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Bacon, Cheddar cheese, Cranberry sauce + festive slaw

Day 404 Frankie says

Good morning my lovelies. The shop is more of a hang out zone today and i’m sure it will be tomorrow as well. Still not feeling festive however I have already eaten an ungodly amount of food. My brain is slowly shutting down so excuse the relaxed atmosphere.

Salads:

Rosemary white beans

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Pasta bake

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 403 I will burn it down

I have to keep reminding myself it’s Christmas. I don’t know if it’s because i’m knee deep in work or because i’m aging but I have to force myself to get into the festive spirit. I swear if these gremlins don’t like my presents I will Krampus this Christmas to the ground.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Roast pepper pasta

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, Provola cheese, Branston pickle + tomato

Day 402 Gift of giving

I’m in a slight panic. Usually i’m super proud of the thoughtfulness of my presents. This year it’s meh, i’m not a meh person, i’m the main event but time has got the better of me and I don’t know if i’ve done enough this year. I know my presence is the real gift but you can’t unwrap me!

Salads:

Paprika roasted squash + white bean

Leek + dill rice

Spinach + cashew pesto pasta

Soup: Carrot · orange + turmeric

Sandwich: Milano salame, Cheddar, Chili relish + tomato

Day 401 Escape the M25

It’s a lovely leisurely vibe in the deli this morning. Many have escaped to the countryside in fear that Boris might stop them from seeing mummy and daddy this year. Lucky for me my mother is in the kitchen and my father went to go get a pint of milk 2 years ago… I’m sure he’ll be back soon.

Salads:

Thai spiced curry with sweet potato

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Med veg ragu pasta

Soup: Sweet potato + cumin

Sandwich: Chicken, bacon, brie, cranberry + red onion

Day 400 Life after death

400 hundred days. I wondered if after COVID I would stop these little intros but I find them slightly therapeutic to write in the morning and it’s fun to look back at the emotional rollercoaster that is this deli. Plus I say after COVID but I don’t think such a thing will ever exist but I will learn to live with it just like I did with my mother.

Salads:

coconut curry with autumn veg + chickpeas

Ginger + turmeric rice

Broccoli · tomato + pumpkin seed pasta

Sandwich: Chicken, bacon, swiss cheese, cranberry sauce + red onion

Day 399 Did you hear that?

People think i’m a loud person. Unfortunately I’ve had to adopt a louder way of life because my Mother (for as much as she hates the stereotyping) is Italian. This means I have shout to be heard. I’m also surrounded by whirling fridges and a radio. Sorry for the high decibels.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Rainbow rice

Baked veggie pasta

Chorizo + squash fregola

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 398 Sunny side up

The idea of some people coming to the deli to brighten their day warms my cockles. I also know that some people just want a sandwich and wish that I would shut up but I’m sorry Caroline that’s not going to happen.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Red pepper rice

Courgette · tomato + basil pasta

Panzanella

Soup: Indian spiced parsnip + potato

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Asiago cheese, Onion relish + tomato