Simply Sourced

“Delicious honest wholefood” is what Nigel Cobbe promised in July 2009 when he launched his online free-range meat service SimplySourced (www.simplysourced.net; 087 057 0000) – and that’s exactly what he delivered, by offering free-range Saddleback pork and rare breed Long Horn beef to customers in Dublin and Wicklow.

“The response was overwhelming,” he says, “We seemed to tap into a demand and a frustration from our customers at not being able to source high quality, ethically produced meat. As a result we have expanded both our product range and our delivery capability to deliver nationwide. Providing a hassle-free and professional link between small passionate food producers and our customers, we now also offer free range chicken and turkey, lamb and wild shot venison.”

Responding to demand, SimplySourced has expanded the range offered to include Sheridans cheeses, Java Republic coffee, Janets Country Fayre relishes, On The Pig’s Back terrines & patés and Ditty’s oatcakes – all awarding-winning Irish companies supplying superb products that are very much in demand by discerning customers – and also some carefully selected European larder foods such as cured meats from Spain and Italy, Dijon mustards, premium Italian olive oils, balsamic vinegar, organic pasta and risotto rice. (Always good to see quality speciality products, of course, but one can’t help hoping the focus will remain Irish.)

Offering Morphy Richards slow cookers was an inspired decision (we wouldn’t be without ours, it’s in use every day), and further products are planned for the site, which is finding a ready niche as Ireland’s first speciality foods website to make its mark by offering reliable supplies of free-range and rare breed meats and poultry.

Meats are sourced from Irish farmers who use natural, free-range production methods, without antibiotics, hormones or growth promoters. Traditional rare breeds have true old-fashioned flavour thanks to their innate qualities and traditional methods - dry hand curing, proper hanging (at least 21 days for beef) and professional butchery. Orders are butchered to customer requirements and are delivered to your door for immediate use or freezing for up to 6 months.

Although free-range meats have a reputation for being expensive, prices are surprisingly reasonable (with free delivery throughout Ireland for orders over €100, for smaller orders a flat rate of €10 to any Irish address) and, although you can create your own combination of cuts shoppers trying the system can choose from a variety of suggested great value boxes - from tasting boxes up to a full, bespoke butchered Saddleback pig!

Just remember that rare breeds tend to be smaller (and more uneven in size) than mass produced animals – this should not be disappointing as they make up in flavour anything they may lack in size.

Having been lucky enough to be among that happy band of satisfied customers who can now tuck into free range pork amongst other delicious treats, my only negative comment is just a suggestion: more apple please, in the pork & apple gourmet burgers – although it seems ungracious to complain of ‘too much pork’ in a burger …

Recipe for Pork and Bramley Bake

Pork and Bramley apples are natural partners, and this versatile one-pot supper makes an easy family meal.

Click for recipe