From My Doorstep, To My Belly

by Stephanie Sherrill
on Friday, August 28, 2009

Let's face it, cooking in the summertime is hot work - and, sometimes, the best meals are those delivered straight to your doorstep. I'm not just talking about Sherpa's, which I admit I rely on too often for lazy Sunday afternoon eating. Instead, let's look at the specialty shops that can deliver foods, not easily found in Shanghai, straight to your home.

As a repeat customer of Tierra Mexicana, my fridge is frequently stocked with delicious tamales just waiting to be steamed and devoured. They make the perfect tamale with just the right amount of mesa and shredded, spicy tender pork. The chorizo is also excellent. Mixed up with scrambled eggs, it makes a great breakfast evoking happy memories of mornings spent in Cancun. (tierramexicana@gmail.com). Tel: 6225 7639.
Since buying good-quality red meat at a local supermarket can be tricky, Elders.com.cn is the answer for carnivorous cravings. It sells unfrozen meat that is air-freighted in from Australia. Delivery is always prompt and the selection of Australian grass and grain fed beef, lamb and sausages is mouth-watering. Biting into a beautifully marbled, tender rib-eye grilled at home rivals anything found in the restaurants of Shanghai.

The Polish alternative to dim sum, pierogies from Pierogie Express are a tasty alternative snack pack to keep in the freezer. The potato and cheese-filled dumplings heat up quickly and satisfy any need for a night-time nibble. Tel: 13916952544.

For those with a sweet tooth, Sweet Bon-O-Mine's tiny owner Bonnie bakes delicious cakes and pies like Betty Crocker. My favorites are the moist pumpkin roll with cream cheese (RMB110) and the gooey sweet cinnamon rolls (6 for RMB50 or 12 for RMB90). (sweetbonomine@gmail.com) Tel: 15000832916.

And finally, it's not food, but let's give a shout-out to those wonderfully crazy Aussies and their great beers. A case of VB or Pure Blonde delivered weekly by JustBeer.cn ensures that there is always a ready supply of the amber nectar cooling in the fridge to wash down all those tamales, steaks and pierogies.

Tierra Mexicana Tel: 6225 7639 Email: tierramexicana@gmail.com

Elders Web : Elders.com.cn

Pierogie Express Tel: 13916952544

Sweet Bon-O-Mine Tel: 15000832916 Email: sweetbonomine@gmail.com

JustBeer Web: JustBeer.cn