Day 719 Buttery

My eyes are glazed over. This might be due to the large amount of Donkey Butter I smoked yesterday. I don’t know why it’s called that but we move on. I have to get my head in the game. Sun’s out, hun’s out it’s going to be so busy. After work I intend to take full advantage of this stich of sunshine and go on a bike ride to Lillywhite’s. I love Lillywhite’s.

Salads:

Tuscan bean

Herbed rice

Courgette, tomato + oregano pasta

Paneer + potato curry

Soup: Tuscan tomato

Sandwich: Spiced roast pork, Asiago cheese, Spicy peach relish + tomato

Day 718 Apocalypse

What are you bringing to the table in a zombie apocalypse? I think this is a good way of determining your worth in society. The internet is a thing of the past and we have to resort to our animalistic roots. What is your skill? Mother is a technophobe which means she encouraged my Brother and I to develop our dexterity. It’s all well and good to think humans are the top of the food chain but when the internet is down what do you do?

Salads:

peri peri cauliflower + white bean

Red pepper rice

Smokey aubergine + tomato pasta

Bacon, mushroom + potato braise

Soup: Spinach, potato, ginger + turmeric

Day 717 Learning

I’m learning how to drive. My instructor is super docile and says that I have to be more patient (my road rage comes in the form of speeding). This is a constructive criticism. However, my instructor hates entitled drivers. When driving on a residential road, a Mercedes (surprise, surprise) tried to squeeze me out and my instructor slammed on the brakes, put down my window and shouted at him. Meanwhile I'm staring off into the distance waiting for this embarrassing altercation to end.

Salads:

Vegetable curry with split peas

Coconut, turmeric + sultana rice

Mushroom ragu pasta

Potato + spinach cheesy bake

Soup: Tomato, potato + rosemary

Sandwich: Napoli salami, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

Day 716 Euro

Eurovision was epic this year, Finland should have won. I love Loreen, Euphoria is a huge tune but this year there were better performances. Other than that my weekend was very enjoyable the sun was out as were the bum cheeks on Clapham Common.

Salads:

Mexican beans

Rosemary + garlic rice

Roast vegetable ragu pasta

Fregola with spiced chickpeas

Soup: Green lentils, Broccoli + ginger

Sandwich: Spicy salami, Manchego cheese, Jalapeno relish + tomato

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