Mountain Views News          Saturday, September 29, 2012

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

9

 Mountain Views News Saturday, September 29, 2012 


BURGER CONTINENTAL 

Recently I revisited an old friend, one of the first restaurants that I used to hang out at 
after school, Burger Continental. I remember the 
student special: Cheeseburger, fries and unlimited 
soft drinks. The name Burger Continental is 
misleading. Sure, they do serve burgers... good ones at 
that. But they also offer many Middle Eastern dishes 
and have some of the best bargains in town. Believe it 
or not I think they have one of the best pizzas around. I 
still don’t know how, but they do!!! Where else can you 
go and get Mexican, American, Japanese and Middle 
Eastern all in one place? I have heard mixed reports; 
a couple of friends have said that they felt the food has 
slipped a bit. 

 

Speaking of bargains the Sunday Brunch has most everything on their regular menu, 
including sushi, pizza, a carving station, fresh fruit -chicken, grape leaves, shrimp and 
salmon. I think you get the picture. They also serve a California Sparkling Wine plus/with 
live entertainment. All this comes for $18.99 (lower for kids). Burger Continental is a family 
run business and has been a Pasadena favorite 
for over 35 years. They also run a popular 
catering business so don’t be surprised if 
you recognize owners Harry or Gary at the 
restaurant. There is live music on most nights, 
Dixieland on Wednesday nights, and traditional Middle Eastern Music on the weekends, 
with belly dancers making sure all are having a good time. I must admit the music can be 
very loud, and we had to wait for breaks to hear each other talk. Best bets: fresh fish, pizza, 
and jumbo shrimp. 

Yes, the hamburgers are good 
as well!!! Happy hour is from 
11 AM to 7 PM, and includes 
many drinks for $2 -- even the 
naysayers love that!!! Check it 
out and come hungry to Burger 
Continental at 535 S. Lake Ave. 
They serve breakfast, lunch, 
and dinner; log into http://
burgercontinental.com for hours 
and updated specials

Please listen to my radio show on 
Saturday Nights at 6 PM KABC 
Talk Radio 790. Email me at 
thechefknows@yahoo.com


SWEET POTATO

PANCAKES*

INGREDIENTS

2 medium sweet potatoes (about 1½

pounds), peeled and grated

1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored

and shredded

2 eggs, beaten

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

¼ cup canola oil

DIRECTIONS

1) Squeeze liquid from potatoes and apples, and drain. Set aside.

2) Combine eggs, salt, sugar, cinnamon, and flour in bowl. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high 
heat. Carefully place 4 (¼-cup) portions of potato mixture into hot oil. Immediately flatten

with spatula to make ½-inch-thick pancakes. Cook 3 minutes each side, until golden brown. Transfer 
from oil to drain on paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat with remaining potato mixture.

3) Keep pancakes warm until served.

Tip...Serve with maple syrup and chopped pecans. Good alone for breakfast or brunch, these also are 
an excellent side dish for dinner.

*Recipe from Bob Warden’s Favorite Recipes (see below)

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


Best of the Best Presents: 

BOB WARDEN’S 

FAVORITE RECIPES 

In his newest cookbook, bestselling culinary expert 
Bob Warden presents a stunning array of 
recipes inspired by cook’s essentials® Cookware, 
one of America’s favorite kitchen brands. Bob 
Warden’s Favorite Recipes for cook’s essentials® 
Cookware is the perfect blend of tried-and-true 
favorites and unique new dishes that are both 
easy to prepare and even easier to enjoy. 

The popularity of cook’s essentials cookware has 
resulted from the combination of arduous research 
and testing to develop the perfect tools for 
the home cook and budget-friendly cost of these 
innovative pieces. In fact, the versatility and durability 
of this cookware, along with its lifetime 
warranty, makes a cook’s essential pan as much 
an heirloom as a kitchen tool. While all of the 
recipes found in this cookbook can be prepared 
without cook’s essential cookware, allowing any 
home cook to enjoy these recipes, this book is a 
perfect companion piece for the cook’s essentials 
kitchen.

Regardless of your familiarity with the cook’s 
essentials brand, the recipes in this outstanding 
new cookbook will surely inspire you to unleash 
your inner culinary prowess. With tempting 
recipes such as Sweet Potato Pancakes, a unique 
twist on the traditional potato pancake, Ricotta 
and Roasted Vegetable Pizza, and Maple Peanut 
Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, who wouldn’t 
want to get cooking? Better yet, Warden takes the 
burden out of traditionally complicated dishes, as 
seen in his Burgundy Braised Beef with Onions 
and Mushrooms, made entirely in one pot.

The true genius of this cookbook, however, is 
found in “7 Ways, 7 Days” where Warden revitalizes 
and rejuvenates standard American dishes, 
providing seven exciting variations on the usual 
kitchen classics. Fans of macaroni and cheese will 
certainly swoon at OMG Lobster Mac ‘n’ Cheese, 
Warden’s delicious and sophisticated update. Not 
to mention, if you’re bored with the same old 
green bean casserole every holiday, Savory Bacon 
and Blue Cheese Green Bean Casserole will provide 
much-needed delicious relief. 

Warden has firmly established himself as a pioneer 
of easy and innovative home cooking. He 
partnered with Quail Ridge Press not only because 
it is the premier southeastern cookbook 
publisher, but also because of the company’s close 
relationship with QVC where Warden has been a 
regular on-air guest for 25 years. In a highly productive 
print career, Warden has published eight 
customer top-rated, five-star cookbooks. They 
include Quick and Easy Pressure Cooking, The 
Ninja Master Prep Cookbook, The Ninja Master 
Prep Professional Cookbook, The Ultimate Bulk 
Buying Cookbook, Best of the Best cook’s essentials 
and the ultimate go-to reference for pressure 
cooking, Bob Warden’s Slow Food Fast. The sequel, 
Great 
Food Fast, 
has sold more 
than 100,000 
copies so far 
in 2012.

Books are 
available 
exclusively 
through qvc.
com for an 
advanced order 
price of 
$16.57. 

SIERRA MADRE FARMERS MARKET 

New Hours

The Sierra Madre Farmer’s Market hours have changed to 3:00pm through 8:00pm every 
Wednesday in fall and winter. Vendors include Dry Dock which has fresh and wild caught 
fish, Rustic Loaf with artisan breads, Cutie Pie with fresh pies and much more!

For those interested in being a vendor contact Melissa Farwell with Raw Inspirations at 818-
591-8161 ext. 806.