Day 648 Chishuru

Dinner last night was a flavour sensation. Ingredients i’ve never heard of composed like a movie leading to the main event of Guinea hen (not your usual protein choice). Interesting and well priced for the experience but not accommodating to dietary requirements (this did not effect my dinner). Joke (the chef) is bringing Nigerian food to the fine dining world and i’m here for it.

Salads:

Lentil madras + cauliflower

Ginger + turmeric rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Fontina cheese bake with leek + potato

Soup: Tomato, borlotti beans + rosemary

Day 647 Supper

Tonight i’m going to a supper club, I’ve never been to a supper club before. I’ve always viewed them as a trendy person pass time. However with my most recent dinners out i’ve been really disappointed so I let someone else hold the reins and i’m hoping for something that actually excites me.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Lemon + garlic rice

Roast squash ragu pasta

Beetroot + ricotta stew

Soup: sweetcorn, ginger + potato

Sandwich: Pulled lemon chicken, cream cheese, peach relish + cucumber

Day 646 Old habits

It is bustling in the deli. You can tell that January is coming to an end and people are returning to their old habits. That’s not to say they’re bad habits, I think the deli is an understandable obsession considering how other establishments are personality less and expensive. If you can keep to a regimented way of life, I salute you.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Sumac rice

Roast pepper + cashew pesto pasta

Beef + polenta stew

Soup: Tomato, herb + borlotti bean

Day 645 High tea

I had a very relaxing weekend, I did next to nothing. I went for afternoon tea with my family it was vegan, gluten free and a total waste of money. Afternoon tea is a weird love of mine, it’s one of the only things that makes me proud of my English heritage. However some genius thought a tea without scones was a good idea. Fail.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Baked gratin with multi seed + ricotta

Soup: Indian spiced vegetable

Sandwich: Mortadella ham, Smoked mozzarella, spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 644 No phone

This week has been painful. My body is in the second day of healing after climbing. Genuinely hurts to type this menu. We are witching from BT to Sky and we are experiencing trouble with our landline. I say trouble, we have no landline. Happy Friday

Salads:

Braised veg + borlotti bean

Red pepper rice

Kale pesto pasta (no nuts, no cheese)

Baked pasta

Soup: Thai spiced veg

Day 643 Pain

Oh boy, my body hurts. Climbing is not for the faint hearted but it was so fun. Today my hands are screaming, their feeling tender to say the least. I must put my pain to the side because the winds have whispered to me that it will be a busy day and we must be prepared for anything.

Salads:

Pinto beans + mushroom ragu

Parsley + lemon rice

Courgette, tomato + dill pasta

Chickpea, potato + paneer curry

Soup: Indian spiced parsnip + potato

Sandwich: Spicy beef mince, Cheddar + frenchie’s mustard

Day 642 It's the climb

Tonight i’m climbing. I lack in upper body strength so i’m a little fearful of dropping from a height and injuring myself. I think this is a perfectly rational fear but by my side will be one of the most supportive people i’ve ever come across in my life. As in, if I said I wanted to fly she would be my cheerleader.

Salads:

Chilli non carne

Lemon + garlic rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Cheesy veggie bake

Soup: beetroot, carrot + orange

Day 641 Mild freezer

Mother asked ‘what’s the weather like this morning’ and I said ‘it’s mild’. 4 degrees is mild to me now, i’ve adapted. I’m feeling good today. I have a week of fun activities ahead and the deli is running smoothly. I think the key to a calm state of mind is to remain in touch but ignorant. Politics is a capitalist inferno but I just keep to my circle and the voices in my head, so far its going swimmingly.

Salads:

Aubergine + black bean

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Pearl barley, roast squash + halloumi

Soup: velvet mushroom

Sandwich: Chorizo, Smoked mozzarella, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 640 I can't feel my finger tips

I’ve been waking up at 5am in an attempt to be more consistent with the gym because usually I’m emotionally drained by 5pm and the idea of working out makes me want to cry. This morning it was -4 degrees, I stayed in bed. I’m glad we opened half way through January, this month is not for the faint hearted.

Salads:

Paprika roasted squash + white beans

Spinach + herb rice

Roast pepper + tomato pasta

Beef + potato concoction

Soup: Vegetable madras

Day 639 Frankie says relax

I love mornings like today. The shop is filled with people (most of them hungover) just sipping coffee and talking. I love and hate a community vibe, if you’re in a rush and you want to ‘refuel’ then the deli can seem quite tedious and inefficient. However if you enjoy human interaction and rogue banter this is the place for you.

Salads:

Curried lentils

Cumin + turmeric rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Polenta bake

Soup: Parsnip, cumin + tomato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, provola picante, apple relish, mustard + tomato

Day 638 Buffering

Do you ever just sit at your desk, look at the work you have to do and just buffer. There is nothing going through my head at the moment. There’s pros and cons to this. A pro is that I’m relaxed, chilled, vibing. The con is that i’m not getting any work done which means that it will pile up and that relaxed feeling will disintegrate.

Salads:

Thai spiced chickpea coconut curry

Lemongrass + lime leaf rice

Leek, black olive + tomato pasta

BBQ jackfruit salad

Soup: Turmeric + potato

Day 637 Slithers of happiness

I made soup yesterday. This is quite boring information to share but I’ve never made soup before. It was nice. I bought a bath robe in the January sales and I highly recommend you get one too because when you get out the shower and put on a robe you feel like you’re in a spa. It seems this post is all about the little things the bring slithers of happiness.

Salads:

Peri peri split peas + cauliflower

Dill + carrot rice

Chicken, olive + mushroom pasta

Braised veg with polenta croutons + roasted feta

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Milano salame, Fontina cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 636 Pump it

I’m feeling much better this morning. Yesterday just didn’t feel right, you can try and avoid the January blues as much as you like but they will find a way to sit on your shoulders at some point. This morning I woke up way before the sun and did a leg day in an attempt to get pumped, I hope y’all are ready, we back.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Sumac rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Korean spiced pork noodles

Soup: Thai spiced vegetables

Day 635 Buon Anno

Hello, missed me? When I’m not at work it feels like i’m in an alternative universe. My new year has mainly consisted of gaming and eating. Now it’s back to reality, and i’m genuinely happy to be back as are the rest of the team. It’s easy to go a little crazy when you have no routine.

Salads:

Five spice veg + aduki beans

Edamame + crispy shallot rice

Tomato + herb pasta

Cheesy potato bake

Soup: Potato + ginger

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

Day 634 Merry Christmas

We will return January 16th. I want to thank all our customers from the annoying dietary requirement rascals to the bantering bandits. This year has been swift and filled with too many highs and lows to mention. Thank you for waiting in all weather conditions and putting up with our questionable service. I can’t wait to see you in the new year and hopefully we’ll be ready for all the antics that 2023 has to give. Love you, over and out.

Salads:

Thai coconut curry

Spring onion + ginger rice

Tomato, basil + french bean pasta

Soup: Cumin roasted parsnip

Sandwich: Fennel salame, Manchego cheese, chilli relish + tomato

Day 633 Shine

We are finally getting a Christmas tree tonight. I’ve been seeing beautifully decorated trees situated perfectly in peoples windows and now its our time. Like with everything, our family does things a little differently. We just cover that pine tree in lights and a single border collie ornament.

Salads:

Med veg lentils

Spinach + herb rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Sandwich: Chorizo, provola cheese, Chilli relish + tomato

Day 632 Pushing on

My computer was running slowly so I called in a ‘Nerd’ (this is what they called themselves, I would prefer to be called a Genius but whatever). I was told my computer is old and slow. It’s 8 years old but I guess in computer years that makes my PC a pensioner. I refuse to accept the diagnosis, here’s to another 8 years!

Salads:

Braised chickpeas

Lemon + garlic rice

Tomato + french beans pasta

Soup: Mild vegetable madras

Day 631 Step into Christmas

We’re open until the end of the week. There’s so much to do before we close, i’m making so many lists and checking them tice (cheeky xmas reference). I expected it to be much quieter this week as people start to head home, shock horror, I was wrong.

Salads:

Chickpea + rainbow peppers

Smoed garlic rice

Cauliflower + cashew pesto pasta

Turkey + parma ham braise

Soup: Spiced sweet potato + ginger

Sandwich: Turkey, bacon, cheddar, cranberry, mayo, mustard, slaw + gravy to dip

Day 630 Recovery

The party was intense and this morning has mainly consisted of confirming that certain events took place. Saying this no work has been done and now we’re very behind. It’s all a mess.

Salads:

Beetroot goulash

Spinach + cumin rice

Sausage + ham pasta

Soup: Five spice veg

Day 629 Shubz

Tomorrow the deli will be having a shubz. Turns our a lot of people don’t know what this means. Here’s some knowledge for your noggin, a shubz is a party. Could be carnage, hopefully not. Either way we will open on Monday as if nothing happened.

Salads:

Moroccan spiced lentils

Preserved lemon rice

Broccoli, chilli + garlic pasta

Soup: Celeriac, apple + potato

Sandwich: Cumberland sausage, pecorino, Apple relish, frenchie’s mustard + tomato