Lemons

At Country Matters not only do we have a good selection of local produce we generally have lemons.  Lemons are versatile and can be used in baking, preserves, cooking, cleaning and of course in your gin and tonic.  You can use the juice and the zest.

Supplier Spotlight ~ Ms Tee ~ Woodturner

Teraina (Ms Tee) is recently new to woodturning and is improving in leaps and bounds, and loves to take on a new challenge.  At Country Matters we have been stocking these fabulous pens for the last couple of years.

Carrot Cake ~ Recipe

We generally have local carrots for sale.  This carrot cake recipe is super light and is lower in fat, I can't pretend it is calorie free....

Supplier Spotlight ~ Dawn ~ Handknits

Dawn is a regular at the Country Matters Hexton shop and keeps herself occupied in her free time knitting. She knits various items - tea cosies, baby bootees, children’s and baby jumpers.

Supplier Spotlight ~ Vera ~ Naturalis Candles, Creams & Balms

 

Vera has been bringing her makes along to Hexton Country Matters for a little while now.

The items have been lovingly handmade locally in small batches, using natural ingredients and recyclable containers. She even offers to refill your containers once they are all gone.

Supplier Spotlight ~ Corbett & Sons ~ Honey

Corbett & Sons are selling their local honey in the shop, they are from Barton Le Clay, so very close to Hexton.  

Supplier Spotlight ~ Carolyn ~ Handmade Fabric Bags & Accessories

Carolyn, a crafter and a gardener, has been bringing her handmade items to the shop now for 7 years or so.

Supplier Spotlight ~ Mrs Middleton's ~ Oil & Flour

We have been stocking Mrs Middleton's Rapeseed Oil for a number of years at Country Matters.  

Supplier Spotlight ~ Nick Peace ~ Woodturning

Nick has been woodturning for about 6 years.  Following his retirement, he started looking for something different to do, he started with a 2 day course in Axminster, and hasn't looked back since.  He has set himself up in his shed and spends many hours out there with his wood and tools.

Raspberries

Helen often has raspberries (blueberries too), and muffins are super easy to make.  They don't keep well, best to eat on the day (not all of them though!) and freeze any left.

Here is the muffin recipe:

I have a large jug that I always use for making muffins and find it easier to pour the mixture as it is runny, and all muffins are delicious straight from the oven.

200g plain flour
100g caster sugar
50g soft brown sugar
Cinnamon to taste (optional)
2 ½ Baking powder

½ teaspoon salt
90ml skimmed or semi-skimmed milk

80ml vegetable oil

1 large egg, beaten
5 drops vanilla extract
200gms (approx) fruit

• Preheat oven to 200 C / Gas 6 and add paper cases to a muffin tray.
• Measure out flour, sugars, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large jug. 
• Combine milk, oil, egg and vanilla in another jug.
• Add the liquid to the large jug and stir until just combined (mixture will be lumpy).
• Gently fold in fruit, divide amongst 10 cases, or around that number, cases should be 2/3rds full.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown on top, sprinkle with icing sugar when slightly cool.

This was a picture from a while back and I generally use a silicon muffin tray these days which is much easier than messing about with paper muffin cases.