Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, October 15, 2016

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FOOD AND DRINK

Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 15, 2016 

THE PERFECT TAILGATING WINE

My search for California Cabernet wines in the 
$10 range continues. It seems like a reasonable 
request, considering that there are hundreds of wineries in California. They say that life is a cabaret; 
I’d like to add cabernet to the mix. The 2012 Toasted Head is from the Yolo region(great area for 
Tomatoes), which covers Mendocino to Sonoma and Napa, and this is where R.H. Philips Vineyards 
calls home. The area has a relatively mild climate with predictable heating and cooling. The 2012 
season in Mendocino County turn out to be a very good year - so good that Toasted Head didn’t have 
to source too many of its grapes. I found the taste to be soft, even pleasant, with likeable tannins and 
hint of spice, and appreciated the cedary notes from the oak aging. The rich fruit and the bear on the 
label might detour some, but for $10 it’s a winner, and if you’re a fan of old world reds, you’ll like this 
red. Feel free to put it in a brown paper bag when going to a tasting party - I promise that your friends 
will enjoy it. No matter the cost of wine if you like it, enjoy it and share with friends. This cab is ready 
to drink now. It’s a perfect BBQ wine. Roast up some sweet peppers or BBQ shrimp, or take it to a 
drive in movie. Yum !!! 

When someone uses the term “old 
world” with regard to wine, they are 
referring to wines made in countries 
that are considered the birthplaces 
of wine, basically Europe and the 
Middle East. It’s usually a bit lower 
in alcohol content, in this case at 
13.5%

Dills Score


Each week I will give you my Dills 
Score. I start with a base of 50 points, 
and add points for value. For this 
wine, I added 8 points for color, 8 
points for aroma or “nose”, 8 points 
for taste, 8 points for finish, and 9 points for my overall impression, which includes my value rating.

Total Score 89 

Retails for $
15.00, on sale for around $10 at area markets

Follow me on twitter kingofcuisine and make sure you listen to my radio show every Saturdays at 3 
pm KLAA AM 830 

TABLE FOR TWO by Peter Dills

thechefknows@yahoo.com

Julie’s Favorite Family Recipes

PUMPKIN SQUARES

INGREDIENTS

Bars:

4 eggs

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

15 -ounce can pumpkin

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

Icing:

8 -ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

2 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

 Using an electric mixer at medium speed, combine the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and 
fluffy. Stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients 
to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. 
Spread the batter into a greased 13 by 10-inch baking pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool completely 
before frosting. Cut into bars.

 To make the icing: Combine the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer 
until smooth. Add the sugar and mix at low speed until combined. Stir in the vanilla and mix again. 
Spread on cooled pumpkin bars.

 Recipe courtesy of Patty Ronning as adapted by Paula Deen


HEALTHY LIFESTYLES

THE JOY OF YOGA


HIT THE RESET BUTTON

With life’s 
abundance of 
responsibilities, 
downtime and 
FUN time are vital to happiness. There comes a 
moment of saturation -- aka stress -- in living and 
working. A wise person builds fun and relaxation 
into their schedule to steer clear of reaching the 
point of no return and saying, “Ahh…I can’t take 
it anymore!” It is hard to get off the hamster wheel, 
so here are a few tips for hitting the all-important 
reset button for mind, body, and perspective.

 First, take time to unplug. In yoga, we could 
relate this to pratyahara or withdrawal of the 
senses. The mind cannot settle when it’s pulled in 
multiple directions. What we see, hear, feel and 
taste affects us. To practice withdrawing the senses, 
find a quiet place to be for a while, close the eyes, 
and just concentrate on the breath. Consciously, 
hear the sound of the breath as you smooth it out. 
This action alone significantly changes the inner 
landscape. 

 Next, do something for your body that will 
contribute to your well-being. This could be going 
to a yoga class, going for a walk, making a healthy 
meal, or visiting your local wellness professional for 
a service. Action will change your energy. Think of 
it as TLC for you. If you’re in a deep rut, this could 
be hard. Do it anyway. Changing your prana, or 
vital life force energy, changes your perspective of 
the world. Positivity and inspiration will usually 
slip in. 

 Last, have fun! Spend time with someone you 
love and have a good time together with laughs 
included. Connecting with others nourishes us 
spiritually. Meet up, attend yoga, and make your 
next date for spending time. 

Love and Namaste, 

see you in class! 

Keely Totten 


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com