Mountain Views News          Saturday, March 30, 2013

GOOD FOOD & DRINK

11

Mountain Views-News Saturday, March 30, 2013 


CHICKEN WINGS OVER PASADENA

Just had the question presented to me, if it is a boneless wing, can it still be a chicken Wing? Not 
sure, but the Original Buffalo Chicken Wing was made in Buffalo NY, at a restaurant called the 
Anchor Bar, the wings have bones there. I digress…. What’s the Final Four Basketball Championship 
without good food? And one of the best game dishes is a chicken wing. 

Prove your passion for both the ball and cluck in the Wing Eating contest 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 7 at 
Vons, 1390 N. Allen, Pasadena. Sponsored by Rex-Goliath winery and Vons, the contest celebrates 
March Madness, as well at Safeway Chef Jeff Anderson’s recent victory in a statewide chicken wing 
contest. 

Anderson studied at the Culinary Institute of 
America in New York and brought his love of 
emerging American cuisine to several restaurants 
before becoming Safeway’s Chef. Now, he brings 
his knowledge and talent to your table with award-
winning wings that will hold 
center court during the 
contest. 

Each participant will be 
given five minutes to eat up 
to three pounds of chicken 
wings. The winners will 
receive a $100 Vons gift 
card and all participants will 
receive a t-shirt. Don’t waste 
time dribbling, sign up for 
your chance to score now, as 
there are only a few spots left. 

Wing eating fans are 
welcome to root for their 
favorite contestant and join 
the fun. Admission is free. 
For more information, visit 
www.peterdills.com.

Tune into Talk Radio 790 AM every Sunday afternoon for this and other fun food events.

New and Napkins Notes. Robin’s BBQ will soon be adding Weekend Breakfast…Plate 38 has 
reopened…. The Frontrunner at the Santa Anita Race Track has revamped the menu…The Canoe 
House in South Pasadena is adding a 14oz Mai Tai…

CROCK POT 

RAVIOLI LASAGNE

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com


From the Book Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes (See story below)

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

1 pound lean ground beef

Salt and pepper to taste

1 (24-ounce) jar chunky spaghetti sauce 

1 (25-ounce) bag frozen cheese ravioli

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

1 Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add onion, ground beef, and a

pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until meat is browned.

2 Stir spaghetti sauce into the ground beef mixture, and remove from heat.

3 Spoon 1/4 of the beef and sauce mixture into the bottom of a slow cooker and then

 cover with a layer of 1/3 of the frozen ravioli.

4 Top the frozen ravioli with another layer of sauce, then 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese.

5 Repeat for 2 more layers of ravioli, then sauce, then cheese, ending with the cheese

on top.

6 Set the cooker to LOW, cover, and let cook 7 hours, or until raviolis are hot

 throughout. 

Helpful Hint: Using fresh ravioli from the refrigerated (not frozen) case is not recommended, as

the pasta can fall apart after extended cooking.


BEST-SELLING COOKBOOK 
AUTHOR SHARES FAVORITE 
SLOW COOKER RECIPES

If you think that your slow cooker is a tired and antiquated 
kitchen tool, well past its prime, then think again! In Favorite Slow 
Cooker Recipes, bestselling culinary expert Bob Warden offers an 
assortment of recipes, from appetizers to desserts (and everything 
in between), that are sure to make slow cooking an exciting culinary 
endeavor like never before. 

The beauty of the slow cooker is its ability to help any home cook 
prepare a mouthwatering meal with minimal effort. Over the years, 
however, slow cookers have unfairly earned the reputation of being 
devices of very little function, suitable only for soups, stews, and 
the occasional pot roast. In Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes, Warden 
takes a new approach to slow cooking, focusing on preparing a vast 
array of different recipes with the utmost convenience. He explains, 
“Slow cooking is all about convenience: the convenience of cooking 
a meal for the entire family in one pot, and the convenience of letting 
it cook as you go about the rest of your day. That was my goal for the 
recipes in this book, for the majority of them to be as convenient as they 
are delicious.”

Warden’s Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes presents a variety of over 120 
recipes, ultimately dispelling the myth that slow cookers are only 
sufficient for concocting a handful of dishes. While this tempting 
new cookbook does contain the usual favorites, such as All Day Chili, 
Warden presents a wealth of new and innovative recipes that bring the 
trusty old slow cooker into the 21st century. Many of these dishes are 
perfect for entertaining, such as the delightful Arugula and Artichoke 
Dip, while recipes like Brown Sugar Brisket and Honey Sesame Chicken 
make for a stress-free indoor barbecue. Delicious offerings such as 
Ravioli Lasagna, Slow Roasted Potatoes, and Banana Pecan Bread Pudding eliminate the need for 
keeping a watchful eye on the oven. You can even astound family and friends with a homemade pizza 
party with Warden’s recipe for Quick Pizza Dough. 

This new cookbook is an ideal resource for any home cook. All of these recipes can be prepared with 
a four-quart (or larger) slow cooker, which can already be found in most home kitchens. Better yet, 
Warden has made a considerable effort to develop these recipes without the use of canned or packaged 
ingredients, making the task of preparing a healthy and delicious meal with fresh ingredients easier 
than ever before. Warden also includes a plethora of helpful hints and tips for optimal slow cooking 
as well as a Pantry List, making Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes an indispensable guide for slow cooker 
users everywhere.

Warden has firmly established himself as a pioneer of quick and easy home cooking. His first pressure 
cooker cookbook sold over 200,000 copies in 2 years, and his second sold over 100,000 copies in 
a mere 3 months. His previous release, Great Food Fast, has sold an astounding 122,000 copies 
and was one of the top-selling cookbooks of 2012. Warden 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. Warden 
has garnered much acclaim for his culinary innovations, earning him the adoration of home cooks 
nationwide and amassing a loyal fan following.


SIERRA MADRE FARMERS MARKET 

The Sierra Madre Farmer’s Market hours have changed to 3:00pm through 7:00pm 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.


Do not forget your mother or grandmother on 
Mother’s DayMake your reservation now for the Four Seasons Tea Room75 N. Baldwin Ave., Sierra Madre, CA 91024 
RSVP (626) 355-0045
OpenTues - Sat11am - 4pmSundays 
open forgroups 
of 20 
or morePrivate SpaceAvailable 
for Bridal & 
Baby Showers, 
Birthdaysand 
Special 
Occasions
Space 
LimitedSpace Limited
TOMATOMANIA! RETURNS TO 

DESCANSO GARDENS APRIL 6-7

 

Back by popular demand, TOMATOMANIA!, the world's largest tomato seedling sale, returns to 
Descanso Gardens on Saturday and Sunday, April 6-7.

Dubbed "the tomato freaks' Woodstock," Tomatomania! will include a plant sale featuring hundreds 
of healthy seedlings, including heirloom varieties, old favorites and many unusual offerings. The 
plant sale is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days on the Magnolia Lawn.

Then get gardening tips from Tomatomania's main man, Scott Daigre. He will do a presentation, 
"Grow Great Tomatoes," at 10 a.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday in the Under the Oaks Theater. Learn 
how to grow a bumper crop of fantastic, flavorful tomatoes.

Tomatomania! started as a West Coast phenomenon in the 1990s. Over time, it has become a coast-
to-coast springtime stop for home gardeners. This is its third year at Descanso Gardens. 

Activities are free with admission: $8 adults, $6 seniors/students, $3 children 5-12; children 4 and 
younger enter free. Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 
Open daily (except Christmas) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: www.descansogardens.org or (818) 
949-4200. 

 

About Descanso Gardens: Established as a public garden in 1953, Descanso Gardens is located at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada 
Flintridge, near the interchange of the 2 and 210 freeways. The Gardens are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Christmas 
Day. Parking is free. Admission fees are $8 for adults; $6 for seniors and students with I.D.; $3 for children 5 to 12, and free for 
members and children 4 and younger. For information, call (818) 949-4200 or visit www.descansogardens.org. Descanso Gardens 
is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.