Oats and Beans

Over recent years, the UK has lost three quarters of its runner bean fields. Gary Rhodes is fighting for the revival of this quintessential British summer vegetable. Allegra McEvedy champions the humble little oat and discovers that there is much more to it than just porridge.

Allegra McEvedy goes to Scotland to uncover the history of the oat and discovers just how important it was to the sustenance of the nation. She examines its credentials as a superfood, and in the revival kitchen creates three delicious dishes featuring oats - and there is not a bowl of porridge in sight.

Chef Gary Rhodes is backing the British runner bean and broad bean. Both have fallen out of favour with the British public over the years and he is determined to remind people of their unique qualities. In Somerset, he finds the martock bean which dates back to the 12th century, and makes up a delicious medieval pottage which was once the working man's staple diet. He also discovers that although people have turned their backs on it, the British dried fava bean is a big favourite in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine.