Laura Avery chats with the folks from Flying Disc Ranch. This date farm in Thermal, California recently won best citrus prizes in Riverside for its juicy Royal Mandarin oranges, which were formally known as Temple Oranges. The ranch, which also grows Ruby grapefruits, is open for tours. For more information on tours or camping there, call 760-399-5313.
Laura also bumps into Mark Peel, chef-owner of Campanile. Peel loves English peas, and shares this great recipe for his version of split pea soup.
2 1/2 lbs unshelled English peas, (1 to 1 1/2 lbs shelled peas)
1/2 lb potato, peeled and diced
1/2 medium onion
1 clove garlic
Cover ingredients in a medium soup pot with about three inches water to cover all the ingredients. Simmer until tender. Puree soup in a blender. Strain through a coarse sieve. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Music break: The Shadow of Your Smile by Big John Patton