Still haven't called MIL but will do so soon!
In the meantime - you need this!
The Great British Village Show Cookbook is inspired by a brand new TV series, The Great British Village Show, due to air on BBC One in the Summer. James Martin has created over 100 recipes that celebrate flavour and an abundance of great locally produced British ingredients, from Pan Fried Beef with Fat Chips and Slow-Roasted Tomatoes to Sticky Gingerbread and Courgette Chutney.
"It's not just the produce that makes village shows up and down the country so special; it's the people, their stories, their personalities, and their quirkiness," says James Martin.
"What's great about everything on offer is that it's made and produced by people who really care about what they do. How else could you explain why someone would spend up to a year growing massive long carrots in drainpipes down the side of their house, just for a rosette and 30 quid if they win?"
The Great British Village Show Cookbook features dozens of new ways to make the most of fresh produce and recreate a slice of country life in your kitchen. Uncover the secrets of the fruitiest strawberry jam, the tangiest pickles, the lightest Victoria sponge and the most satisfying meals, brimming with just-harvested fruit and vegetables.
Village show contestants share their favourite recipes, passed from family to family, and the expert judges reveal insiders' tips for growing the tastiest ingredients. Choose from recipes for every occasion, from light meals and wholesome dinners, to cakes, breads, jams and pickles.
The Great British Show Village Cookbook is packed with mouthwatering recipes including Honey Duck Breast With Chicory, Vanilla Castle Pudding With Raspberry Jam, Pear and Rosemary Crumble With Cinnamon Sauce, and Chocolate Stout Cake.
Recipes are easy to follow with colourful photographs to show you the finished dish. This is a good old fashioned recipe book with plenty of traditional ideas so that you can make the most of fresh, natural ingredients from the comfort of your own home.
The Great British Village Show is a brand new BBC One series presented by Alan Titchmarsh, Angelica Bell and James Martin, scheduled to air in the Antiques Roadshow Sunday evening slot in the Summer. The series celebrates the institution of the traditional village show, the home to the best of British cooking for generations with its energy, friendly rivalries and its prize winning produce.
The Great British Village Show takes the Village show to a national level, with six regional heats in some of the most beautiful stately homes in Great Britain, each heat comprising of 15 categories.
The winner of each class goes through to take part in the grand final of the competition at Highgrove, in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
James Martin is a presenter of BBC One's hugely successful Saturday Kitchen and is also a regular chef on BBC's Ready Steady Cook. He is a well known and popular TV chef and as well as cooking, he also recently revealed his fantastic dancing talents on BBC One's Strictly Come Dancing.
The Great British Village Show Cookbook is published by DK. Priced is £18.99 for the hardback edition.
For more information and to buy the book online click on www.dk.com