Mountain Views News          Saturday, January 3, 2015

9

FOOD AND DRINK

Mountain Views-News Saturday, January 3, 2015 

 The 2010 Simi Landslide Cabernet Sauvignon 
from Alexander Valley (not Valley)) is one cabernet 
that you should definitely put on your post-holiday 
wine purchase list. I discovered this one simply 
by the price point - I wanted a Cabernet in the mid $20’s, and I made a wise choice. The grapes are 
all harvested right on the estate. Remember wine fans, cabernets are one of the world’s most widely 
recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among 
a diverse spectrum of climates from Canada’s Okanagan Valley to Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley, and of 
course right here in California. Its popularity is often attributed to its ease of cultivation—the grapes 
have thick skins and the vines are hardy and naturally low-yielding, budding late to avoid frost and 
other dangers. 

 A few weeks ago I mentioned Chrissy Whittmann from Wild Horse being one of a handful of female 
wine makers. That trend continues here at Simi where the director of winemaking is Susan Lueker 
and the winemaker is Megan Schofield. Bravo ladies!

 The cabernet goes great with a goat cheese 
salad, crusty sourdough bread or even goat 
cheese pizza with red peppers. The blending of 
this cabernet brings the alcohol content down 
to a modest 13.5%. The flavor starts with a hint 
of blackberry, and then somehow bursts into a 
red berry with notes of spice that come from the 
French oak. Despite it’s youth (2010) the wine 
finishes with wonderful tannins. I find this 
cabernet compares with many wines at a higher 
price. 

Dills Score: 91

Closure: Corked

Each week I will give you my Dills Score. I have 
added points for value. I’m starting with a base 
of 50 points; I added 8 points for color, 8 points 
for aroma or “nose”, 8 points for taste, 7 points for 
finish, and 10 points for my overall impression, 
which includes my value rating.

 

Join me this Sunday at 12 noon for Dining w/Dills 
AM 830 KLAA follow me on twitter kingofcuisine


TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

CHICKEN NACHO 
SOUP


Slow cooker recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 14 .5-ounce can diced tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)

1 large russet potato, peeled and diced

1 zucchini, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

1/2 white onion, finely diced

1 small jalapeno pepper, finely chopped, plus slices for topping (remove seeds for less heat)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

3 sprigs cilantro

1 15 -ounce can hominy, drained and rinsed

3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips, plus whole chips for topping

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Kosher salt

1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces

8 ounces American cheese, diced

1/2 cup milk

DIRECTIONS

Combine the tomato paste, tomatoes, potato, zucchini, onion, jalapeno, garlic, oregano, cumin, cilantro 
and hominy in a 6-quart slow cooker. Add the crushed tortilla chips, the chicken broth and 1 teaspoon 
salt. Cover and cook on low, 7 1/2 hours. Add the chicken and cook 30 more minutes.

Combine the cheese and milk in a medium microwave-safe bowl; microwave, whisking occasionally, 
until melted and smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve the soup topped with tortilla chips, the cheese sauce and 
sliced jalapeno.

Recipe coutesy of Food Network Magazine


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES


THE JOY OF YOGA


SET AN INTENTION 


Happy New Year! 

 I simply love 
beginning a new 
year. There’s no 
other period of 
time that provides 
the feeling of endless possibility and optimism. I 
enjoy looking back on my successes and trials of 
the past year as well. All of my experiences hold 
knowledge and invaluable wisdom that help propel 
me to the next place I’m supposed to be. With that 
development, I bring my focus upon setting my 
intention for the year ahead. 

 Once an intention is made, it can carry great 
power and energy. The more energy and thought 
we give to any certain intention, helps it to gain 
strength and eventually manifest to actuality. In 
yoga, we refer to energy as Prana. We are beings of 
Prana, or vital life force energy, and it is constantly 
changing or waxing and waning. Day-to-day 
life can drain Prana from us, while experiences 
like our yoga practice, pour Prana in. It’s so 
important to recognize the power of Prana. It is 
the enthusiasm and inspiration we bring into our 
life. 

 To set our intentions for the new year, we must 
first get clear on what it is we want. It’s helpful (and 
powerful) to be as specific as possible. A written 
version of our intentions is an essential part. 
Whether it be a page in your private notebook or a 
fully visible vision board, write them down! Next, 
begin silently giving energy and contemplation 
to these intentions during meditation. Lastly, 
give these intentions Prana, or energy, in real life. 
Maybe 10 minutes seeking information on one of 
your goals? 

 Don’t forget to add in the same patience, love 
and compassion you’d give to anyone whom you 
cared about. If your focus or enthusiasm wanes, 
be around the people who support you in your 
resolve. And as the saying goes...”Rome wasn’t 
built in a day...” 

 Namaste friends and see you in class, 

 Keely Totten

A NEW YEAR; A NEW YOU

Chances are, you ate and drank more than you really wanted to this 
holiday season. And many of you have a New Year’s resolution to shed 
some unwanted pounds and improve your overall health. What better 
way to give you that jumpstart to weight loss and better health than with 
cleanse, detox or purification program. 

A cleanse helps your body to purify and rebuild from the inside out. 
Cleanses go by multiple names. They all work the same in that they limit 
what you can eat or drink and some offer some sort of supplementation. 
Some target specific organs and others are whole body. There are lots of 
cleansing programs on the market. Some are good and some are not so 
good. The best cleanses support your major organ systems with the proper 
nutrients that are only found in whole foods. The follow up to a good 
cleanse is transitioning to a healthier way of eating that is pleasurable. 

This is the time of year to do a cleanse. A cleanse helps your body to 
detoxify from the toxins that have accumulated from too many holiday 
parties! A cleanse also helps your body to maintain a healthy weight. The 
holiday food and drink are not the only ways our bodies obtain toxins. We are exposed to toxins on a 
daily basis including air pollutants, pesticides, and even household cleaners. Our bodies are made to 
rid themselves of toxins but can and do become overburdened with the task. A purification program 
or cleanse will offer your body additional support while ridding it of toxins naturally, reducing your 
weight and bringing about a feeling of vitality. 

If you have never tried a cleanse, this is the year to do so. Cleanses and purification programs are not 
just for the stars or the rich and famous. You too can start a journey towards looking and feeling your 
best. Find out what it is like to live a healthy and vibrant life where your body functions at its best. 

Dr. Tina is a traditional 
naturopath and nutritionist 
at Vibrant Living 
Wellness Center