I've been addicted to Jimmy's Farm on the Lifestyle Channel for too long now (hope the crisis is over soon). I've often thought those happy pigs must taste great and recently had chance to dine on the Aussie equivalent at a DPI Gourmet Grower Winter Seasonal Produce Lunch. Out at Goondiwindi, on Queensland's fertile Darling Downs, Gooralie Free Range Pork are committed to keeping their pigs in a stress free environment allowing them to be "As happy as..." And boy, does it taste good. With a little bit of Alastair McLeod's (Executive Chef at Bretts Wharf and star of Ready! Steady! Cook!) magic, this was tender, delicately flavoured pork with a good texture - absolutely delicious. Alastair used a slow cooking technique to bring out flavour and served with a Granny Smith mash and a sauce made from Sutton's cider.
After a lifetime of mixed farming, Mark and Charisse Ladner decided to produce the sort of pork they would like to eat - antibiotic free, hormone growth promotant free, chemical residue free. Their farm is one of only two piggeries in Australia that is RSPCA accredited.
Mark Ladner says its all about a tender juicy product, giving it a nice flavour and producing something that you are proud to eat.
Find it in Brisbane at Stuartholme Meats, Bardon and Allsop & England Butchers, Cooparoo.
Mark & Charisse Ladner
"Gooralie" Goondiwindi.
07 4676 4119 www.gooraliefreerangepork.com.au