IT’S all sweets and chocolates this month at Farmers’ Markets across Herefordshire, with several new traders selling locally produced chocolates, cakes and sweets.

Sarah Rogers of Sweet Bliss discovered a hidden talent for making delicious chocolates when she made them as Christmas presents, and then launched her business at Hereford Farmers’ Market, with peppermint creams dipped in dark chocolate and rose water Turkish Delight covered in milk chocolate already firm favourites.

Another of the Farmers’ Market’s new faces is Kamran Khanverdi, formerly a financial adviser who has now set up his own catering business, Taste of Persia, offering ready meals, kebabs and a wide range of Persian sweets, the most famous of which is baklawa.

Kamran’s Baklawa can be found at Hereford Farmers’ Market every Thursday and the first Saturday of the month.

Beth’s Buns, run by two sisters, uses local ingredients and Fairtrade produce to create fabulous chocolatey treats including, occasionally, triple chocolate cookies.

To try them, see the recipe, below.

H e r e f o r d s h i r e ’ s Farmers’ Markets are where you can buy some of the very best produce this county can offer – fresh fruit and vegetables, fruit juices, wine, bread and cakes, eggs, meat, cheeses, plants and more.

There are monthly markets in Leominster, Rosson- Wye and, on the first Saturday each month, in Hereford, plus a weekly market in Hereford on Thursdays.

Visit hfmg.org/index.

htm for details and contact details of the producers.

Local producers can sell their own produce directly to the consumer, and consumers have the assurance that the produce they buy is not only locally produced, but also meets the highest standards required by HFMG and FARMA.

Herefordshire Farmers'

Markets Group (HFMG) was set up in September 2003 by a democratic cooperative of local farmers in Partnership with Herefordshire Council.

Farmers’ Market dates over the next few weeks Hereford: Thursdays, April 12, 19 and 26, May 3. Saturday, May 5.

Leominster: Saturday, April 14 Ross: Friday, May 4

Triple Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients

50g softened margarine

300g Fairtrade dark chocolate, broken up

75g Fairtrade milk chocolate, broken up

75g Fairtrade white chocolate, broken up

2 eggs

170g Fairtrade light brown sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

85g plain flour

½ tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas 3 2. Melt butter and 225g of dark chocolate in a bowl over simmering water.

3. Beat eggs, sugar and vanilla until light in colour. Pour in melted chocolate and mix gently.

4. Sift remaining ingredients into a bowl and gradually add the chocolate mix. Add remaining chocolate.

5. Spoon onto lined baking trays, leaving plenty of space between them, cook for 10-15 mins.

6. Remove when top of cookie looks crackly and shiny, leave to cool slightly.