I’ve always loved the holiday season. I grew up in a household that celebrated Christmas and Hannukah, so the month of December was always fun! There was lots of good food and friends and family to ...
I love everything about the holidays, especially cooking for a crowd. Even though I mostly cook for myself on a regular basis, I cook as if I have a family of six! Good thing I love leftovers.
Some of the things I miss most about living in the Bay Area are Dungeness Crab season, “Karl” the Fog and the salty air. Recreational crab season in the Bay Area starts in early November and can ...
My friend and colleague Liz Songer recently brought me the most beautiful gift of two giant bags of fresh cranberries from her annual trip to Hayward, Wisconsin. She usually takes her trip to ...
Popovers: A Fun and Delicious Alternative to Rolls
I just found out that we are hosting Thanksgiving this year, and while that can be a bit daunting, my husband Mike and I are excited for the challenge. I say challenge because our condo is quite ...
Pie season is upon us and several months of sweets encased in flaky butter dough lie ahead. But for me, a general hater of pies (except pumpkin, banana cream and The Chopping Block's famous Apple ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. In honor of pie season, Tom shows us how to make a ...
Every September, I convince my girlfriends to go apple picking, and until we go and eat half a dozen (fine, sometimes a dozen) cider donuts in the car, it never really feels like fall. There’s ...
The holidays are synonymous with lots of delicious freshly baked goods. Pies, cakes, brownies, and of course, cookies all taste even more delicious when it's cold out and you want to just sit around ...
While it is probably inadvisable to risk alienating large swaths of your audience in the opening paragraph, I’m going to admit something: I love winter. The cold weather lets me show off all my ...
Delicata Squash. Oh how I love thee. But why do you have such a short growing season? The first time I see delicata squash at the farmers market, I am like a kid who is scooping up candy from a just ...
I’ve been waiting for this time of year for months. I love Fall: crisp mornings, changing leaves, but most of all, I love Fall foods! Several people in my inner circle have mentioned chili in ...
If you are familiar with Lincoln Square, you've probably heard about or even attended the annual Apple Fest in October. The Chopping Block is famous for our Apple Pie, and we bake a lot of them for ...
One of The Chopping Block’s all-time best-sellers is our Jalapeno Gold. This sweet and spicy treat is as versatile as it is addictive. Nearly every day, someone dashes into the store to scoop up a ...
I love social media. It’s a great way to “meet” like-minded people from all over the world. I’ve created friendships with people as far away as the Netherlands, and have found people who enjoy my ...
The seasons have switched, and cooler weather is quickly approaching. This change of temperature made me want to take out my braiser and make a nice fall inspired Moroccan Braised Chicken dish. This ...
I love reading recipes. I’ve researched and downloaded so many of them that I’ll never be able to cook even half of them. But the fun and enjoyment for me has always been the process of researching ...
My favorite green sauce of all time is Cuban Mojo. If you’ve never had it, know that it is a very popular marinade for all kinds of meat, especially pork used in the famous Cuban Sandwich. My ...
Way back when I started working at The Chopping Block in 2002, we used to run a series of classes called the Building Blocks. There were 24 classes in all, and each one focused on different ...
After returning from New Orleans on a Monday morning, I decided to make red beans and rice that night. Everyone knows Monday is red beans and rice day!
I was recently in South Carolina for a reunion with some old gal pals from high school. We stayed at the home of one of the women and while we ate out one night, this gave us the luxury of being ...
I recently was faced with an abundance of overripe bananas, and while my go-to in this situation is usually my mom’s banana bread, I was inspired by Banana’s Foster, another of my favorite banana ...
I love being in the kitchen. It’s my favorite thing to do, even after a long day of work at my office job. But there are some nights when I know I’ll be working late, so a little planning on my part ...
Every summer my family gets together for a reunion. From old to young, it’s great to have every generation together to share stores from the past and to make new memories. A lot of the fond ...
Onion rings are one of those dishes I would never think to make at home. They are delicious, but who wants to deep fry in August? I certainly don't! But here lies the dilemma… I don't want to ...
Got Fruit at Different Stages of Ripeness? Make Fruit Salsa
I love to have fruit around the house, but sometimes I end up with too much fruit to keep up with. Between farmers market season, CSA boxes, and impulse shopping at grocery stores, it’s easy for a ...
I am a soup lover. I can eat soup 365 days of the year. Mind you, I am not eating soup on a beach, but in an air conditioned house or my office, so I am good to go. Midwest produce is just starting ...
A while back I shared my mom’s recipe for perfect Banana Bread, then I shared my recipe for Blueberry Zucchini Bread. Now, in my effort to reign supreme as the quick bread queen, I’m sharing my ...
I have fond memories of zucchini bread that my “summer” grandma made me. I had one grandma that lived with us, and the “summer” grandma lived in Virginia. To this day whenever I cut into a ...
Family Cooking isn't Always Pretty, but it can be Delicious
With a family of six, my oldest sister cooks about four times a week. While her cooking ranges from challenging to easy, I liked one of her recent meals because it was delicious, the kids were able ...
My Chicago Style Deep Dish is More “Chicago” Than Yours
My move to Chicago wasn't easy. It took me three months to find a job and about six before I had my own apartment. I wouldn't have been able to get by here without having some wonderful friends. ...
I'm lucky enough to have a couple of friends who have a fig tree that produces an abundance of fruit right on schedule every June. Each summer, they are generous enough to give me more than my fair ...
Well, Summer certainly took its sweet old time getting here this year, but since it arrived it’s been hot-hot-HOT! When it comes to cooking, for many of us that means trying to use our stoves and ...
Need a New Way to Use Butternut Squash? Try it as a Dip
Butternut squash is synonymous with the autumn season, but it’s actually a year-round vegetable (technically fruit, I know). We all have that favorite butternut squash soup recipe we all love, and ...
My late husband never ate leftovers growing up. His mom prepared exactly enough food for that dinner each night and that was that. He told me that he never even heard the word leftover until he went ...
I’ve always loved pineapples. Not only are they delicious, and a real taste of summer, but they’re the universal symbol for hospitality, which we really focus on here at The Chopping Block!
I’ve touched on some of the fondest food memories of my youth in a number of my blogs. Those memories for me, like a lot of us, begin with meals and desserts prepared by our mothers and ...
One of my favorite things to do with out-of-town visitors in the summer is to take them to a concert in the park. There is nothing better than sipping wine and listening to music on a summer night ...
Everyone loves a backyard barbecue, especially when you don’t have to do any prep, cooking or clean up! That’s why you and the whole family should join The Chopping Block for our upcoming Summer BBQ ...
I look forward to summer for two reasons – softball and watermelon. Since eating a softball is frowned upon, I’m focusing on a few of the amazing ways you can enjoy watermelon. The first step is ...
You may have noticed an abundance of kimchi on menus lately. Korean flavors have been named one of the hottest summer food trends of 2018. We are lucky that we have one of the great experts in this ...
Making any kind of dumpling is always a special occasion for me. You should always make dumplings for your loved ones, because that little bit of extra effort just shows that you love them and they ...
It took awhile this year, but Summer is finally here and for me, that means easy, breezy everything! I like to cook outside more, heat up the inside less, eat with minimal preparation – and so much ...
If you’ve read my blogs, you know I love breakfast and brunch. I’m often working weekend mornings, but when I’m not, I love to make a big showy breakfast for my loved ones, and when I’m particularly ...
Over the last several years, my girlfriend has experimented with a lot of different varieties of protein pancakes. I think they’re one of the tastiest ways to get in a nice serving of carbs and ...
I’m always looking for new and delicious veggie recipes for my kids to enjoy. It’s not hard getting my 13-year-old daughter to eat a variety of vegetables, but it’s a whole different story with my ...
I am ready for my first “Summertime Chi” as a Chicago resident, and the persistant cold weather is finally gone. However, we can still expect some cool nights so in anticipation of those with the ...
Now that you know how to make pancetta, I wanted to provide a few tips on cooking with it and recipes that highlight those techniques. Although pancetta is edible in the same way bacon is, its high ...
Le Creuset Mini-Cocotte Recipe: Gruyere Mac & Cheese with Crispy Bacon
Last September, I wrote about the colorful round mini-cocottes from Le Creuset that we carry at The Chopping Block. Like ramekins, mini-cocottes are perfect for cooking individual portions, but you ...
A Royal Recipe: Meghan & Harry’s Lemon Elderflower Petit Fours
I’m obsessed with the upcoming Royal Wedding. As an L.A. girl who studied in London and always dreamed of bumping into some secret royal at the local Tesco and being swept off my feet, this is my ...
The thing I really love about cooking, and specifically charcuterie, is taking humble ingredients, and turning them into something special. A terrine is the perfect example of this idea. Today we are ...
Key Lime Meringue Tart: A Sweet, Citrusy Vegan Treat
Vegan substituting in dessert is an interesting process. Obviously, substituting dairy has been easy. Need to substitute milk? No problem, there’s almond, soy, or coconut milk. Need to switch out ...
Now that spring has officially (and finally!) sprung, it's time to start cooking with the season and celebrating the arrival of warmer days. There's a lot of spring produce coming on to the scene ...
How many of us grew up on broiled bland fish, dry pork chops or sautéed chicken that could have used just a little something extra on the plate? All of these proteins can easily be improved with a ...
Street Food: Falafel Pita with Tzatziki and Fried Jalapenos
I love meat. All kinds of meat – pork, beef, chicken – you name it, I’ll eat it! But, turns out I have a vegetarian daughter and a vegan daughter-in-law, so I have to make some meatless dishes once ...
Once or twice a year, a few of my girlfriends and I get together for a girls only weekend. We look forward to the getaway and use the time to relax and catch up. We change up the location each ...
Someday, it will warm up. Someday, it will stop snowing. It has to, right? Right? Though the foreseeable forecast still casts a pall on my dreams of summer, I’m trying to look at the positives: ...
One of the things I like about working at The Chopping Block is that our team shares their culinary experience and encourages everyone to experiment with different ingredients and cooking ...
You say Potato, I say Patata with an Easy Spanish Omelette
Tortilla de Patatas (potato omelette) is as ubiquitous in Spain as it is delicious. This potato omelette is found in tapas bars where it is served warm or cold, topped with aioli or not, full of ...
I was ten years old when I tasted Kefir for the very first time. My parents and I had immigrated to America as refugees from the former Soviet Union nine years earlier, in 1976, when I was just a ...
I don’t think there is anyone I know who doesn’t love mac & cheese. My husband & I are certainly no exception, and I think my sister would tell you that I popped out of the womb asking for some! ...
Great Eggspectations: Making Scotch Eggs from Scratch
As a recent arrival from the good old United Kingdom (Wales to be precise), there are many things I love about Chicago, and a few that I miss about home (pubs, hills and valleys, and the Metric ...
Grilled Salmon Torta: A Fish Sandwich Like No Other
Tortas can refer to many different culinary treats such as cakes and flatbreads, depending on what country you're in, but the torta we're going to explore now is all about the sandwich from Mexico. ...
During the cold months (and here in Chicago, that sadly still includes April), everyone is all about the pumpkin and butternut squash. While those are great, I really get excited about Delicata ...
Smoothies are a delicious way to get in multiple servings of fruit, veggies, protein, fiber, and tons of vitamins and minerals. Plus, I’d argue most people would rather get in their nutrients via ...
Will it ever feel like spring in Chicago? While I am dreaming of grilling beef on my outdoor patio in weather that is not 40 degrees, this beef and spring veggie noodle dish will taste like spring ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to turn those leftover Easter ...
I’m a huge fan of soups and stews! Whenever I go to a restaurant, if there is a soup on the menu, I’m more than likely going to order it. I love that a bowl of soup can either be the starter to a ...
Easter is just around the corner, and glazed carrots are always part of my holiday dinner. This year, I'm growing carrots in my garden from seed, so I was lucky enough to have a good batch of small ...
I was recently in the mood to slow cook a spicy batch of chili on a cold Sunday afternoon. I wanted to cook and have the smell of savory food wafting through the house. Once the chili was in the ...
Being raised in the heart of the Midwest, I'm certainly a meat and potatoes kind of guy. But I do love seafood when it is fresh and prepared well. I recently had the opportunity to work with some ...
I finally succumbed to the pressure of the Instant Pot. I’d been curious about them for awhile but between my slow and steady Crock Pot (See Taking Things Slow With Your Crock Pot) with reliable ...
For the last few years, my husband and I have taken to international travel, particularly trekking across Europe, the Baltic, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean, and (coming this fall) the Adriatic. ...
Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day in our house meant a corned beef and cabbage dinner with plenty of potatoes and carrots tossed in. I remember my father being the one to take over the kitchen on this ...
Chicken Liver Parfait. The finest, smoothest and richest pâté known to man. People love ordering it at high end restaurants, but no one wants to make it at home. Up until recently, I wouldn’t want ...
One of my go to comfort foods this winter has been flavorful curry dishes. There’s something about the warm spices and aromas that makes these last few weeks of cold not seem so bad. I came across ...
If you are looking to lose weight and/or perform better in the gym and you don’t have your nutrition dialed in, you will plateau very quickly. The easiest way to stay on top of your diet is to prep ...
How to Make Apple Cider Syrup and Turn It Into Pie
Close to 20 years ago, one of our former chef instructors Lisa Futterman came to work with a recipe she clipped out of a newspaper for an Apple Cider Pie. It was the craziest pie I had seen. She took ...
One question I get asked over and over on my social media channels is how do I cook a meal from scratch nearly every night of the week? I have a full time job in the city. My commute is about 90 ...
Making crêpes sounds like an intimidating culinary task, but believe me when I tell you that they're as easy as, well… crêpes! They definitely have that “oo-la-la”, fancy French flair, but there's ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make a classic British recipe ...
Give me a savory recipe or an idea for any savory meal, and I’m on it! But if you ask me to bake a dessert, I would do my best, but not with the same confidence of creating a savory dish. So for the ...
I recently had a dilemma that I feel most of you will be able to relate to. I’d had a busy weekend, and when I got back to the daily grind on Monday, I went to grab a banana for the road only to ...
Shrimp and Grits are one of my all-time favorite meals. For breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, if they are on a menu, I’m ordering them! I’ve eaten them all over the country in every variation ...
Turn Smoked Salmon into an Easy, Yet Elegant Appetizer
The next time you are hosting a party worthy of an elegant appetizer, try this quick Smoked Salmon Mousse. You can make a couple dozen of these tasty bites in about 30 minutes if you have a food ...
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Whole Steamed Fish
As you know from my last post, Chinese (Lunar) New Year is a big deal at our house: it’s the one holiday we brought back with us from China to celebrate with family and friends, ringing it in with ...
Chocolate Pot de Crème with Caramel Sauce and Kahlua Whipped Cream
Even though Valentine's Day is behind us, there's no reason why you can't make sexy and sweet desserts for that special someone in your life all year round so that they feel appreciated. This is one ...
Paczkis (Poonch-Keys), the yeast raised, fried donuts often filled with jams and creams, are a Fat Tuesday tradition that are enjoyed before pre-Easter fasting begins. They are a Polish tradition, ...
I know I’ve divulged some of my mom’s secrets including her turkey soup and braised short ribs with chili biscuits in past blogs, and while those are both really delicious, I’m finally breaking down ...
It feels a little odd to be writing about diet planning. For most of my life, I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and as much as I wanted. And then my perspective changed. These past two ...
As an advisory board member of the World Food Travel Association, I’m fortunate to travel to many countries around the world to work with local chefs and explore different culinary cultures. ...
Last week a few of my co-workers gathered together to test our skills and face judgement by our peers in a Chopping Block Chili Cook-Off. The chilis were varied, the competition fierce and the ...
I fell in love with this salad when I was the chef at American Girl Place in Chicago. It was one of our most popular items probably because it was so delicious! You can substitute any kind of green ...
Having lived in Beijing a number of years ago, an annual tradition we took home with us was a big, loud celebration dinner for Chinese New Year. With that coming up just over a month away, my mind ...
A new year is here and many people have decided that now is the time to start creating some healthier lifestyle habits. Beginning a workout routine and aiming to eat healthier overall obviously go ...
When faced with brutal subzero temperatures this New Year, I went in to survival mode and immediately got to work in simmering up a hearty stew to warm the bellies of my loved ones.
Happy New Year! I don’t know about you, but the new year is always a clean slate for me. I get all gung ho after maybe indulging a bit over the holiday season – and by holiday season I mean from ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make one of the most popular ...
As far as I know, my dog Mica is not gluten intolerant, but I figure if I can easily make a treat for my dog without flour, why add it? I try and be very careful with what I eat, so it only makes ...
Short Ribs and Chili Biscuits – A Delicious Winter Meal
It’s finally gotten cold in Chicago which means it’s the perfect time for whipping out that Dutch oven and braising something delicious! On a recent day off, I called my mom to ask for her recipe ...
Everybody loves pizza. Whether it's New York all the way or Chicago-style only, neapolitan crust or deep dish, pizza is something I think people of all ages can get behind. I recently had my niece ...
These Crispy Shrimp Will Leave Your Guests 'Wonton' More
Holiday times seem to bring us to the kitchen a lot more than the rest of the year. We entertain at home or go out to holiday parties and bring food with us to share. Last month, I gave you an ...
Dutch Babies have been a Forneret-family obsession since we first discovered them at a pancake house in Palm Springs many years ago. Eggy, crisp and lightly sweet, these instantly became a ...
We all know the Vitamix blender makes the best frozen cocktails, and it was one night, after a stellar round of Pina Coladas, I was inspired to make a pineapple sorbet with leftover frozen pineapple ...
With the temperatures plummeting and hibernation season beginning in Chicago, sitting on the couch with some piping hot comfort food sounds pretty enticing. Winter is the season for mashed potatoes ...
Eating healthy during this holiday season can be really hard. I’ve recently started adding more vegan/vegetarian meals into my daily routine. The recipes are easy and pretty quick to make for a ...
Growing up, there were two things I could always count on every single Christmas. My great Aunt Selma and Uncle Jiggs would send us a two pound loaf of fruitcake. That would be unwrapped, put out on ...
If you're like me, this time of year can get a little bit stressful. The hustle and bustle of cooking, baking, traveling, shopping, and working a full-time job can take a toll on one’s sanity. I ...
My latest edition on foraging and cooking wild mushrooms features a relatively new mushroom for me: the Puffball. I grew up hunting morels but living in urban environments for the last 30+ years, I ...
Whether it’s a missing ingredient you could have sworn you bought or someone doesn’t bring what they were supposed to for your potluck, it happens every year. Don't let dessert be compromised! Take ...
There’s really nothing better than a food that can be eaten at every meal – and I’ve got the perfect recipe for an easy lemon curd you can enjoy any time of day. Even though lemon curd originated in ...
Holiday Appetizer: Meatballs with Apple Cider BBQ Sauce
This year seemed to fly by so quickly, and already the holidays are here again! I watched my oldest son become a teenager and my youngest son become a superstar of several sports. Those glorious ...
Thanksgiving is coming, and I so love cooking for this holiday. I also love hearing about other people’s traditions, what they serve, what they enjoy cooking. In the midst of all this, though, one ...
While I do love a good pumpkin spice latte, I’ve never really gotten on board with loving pumpkin pie (though I’ll admit, The Chopping Block’s is delicious!). Truthfully, I’ve never roasted my own ...
Since the weather is nice and cold and staying in sounds more enticing than heading out, I had the urge to bake some bread this week. I decided to make a Dutch Oven Bread Loaf. The recipe was very ...
I consider myself more of a cook than a baker, except for two things – pies and bread! Now that we are past Halloween, my Pinterest feed has been all about Thanksgiving, from appetizers to dessert.
Food Comics: Honey Lemon Chicken Kebabs with Hummus
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make an easy dish with Turkish ...
If you’re someone who likes to get creative in the kitchen and try out new things, sometime it can be difficult to know where to start or how to experiment without ruining your dinner for that ...
Pumpkin Puree isn't Just for Pie - Try it in Fresh Pasta
By now you’ve probably been inundated with pumpkin this and pumpkin that, but I'm not done embracing the delicious and versatile nature of this seasonal fruit, so I hope you'll bear with me and ...
It’s fall, which means pumpkin everything… unless of course, you’ve been getting your pumpkin spice fix since late August. Pumpkin is everywhere now, and sometimes it’s good to think beyond pies and ...
Although fall is my favorite season of the year, it’s still really difficult to say goodbye to summer. The things I love most about fall are the colors, flavors, smells, spices and crisp weather ...
When the weather turns cold, there is nothing I want more than a bowl of piping hot, hearty soup. I prefer a creamy soup that warms the soul. While I do enjoy a good soup, I don’t always have the ...
When most people think of the south of France, they think of popular towns like Cannes, Nice and Provence but there’s another charming – and less expensive - region to the west called ...
Warm Up in Cool Weather with Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits
Unless you live in the deep South, you have probably felt Autumn's cool embrace by now. This is a clear signal that my favorite months of cooking are here! Besides the great flavors and smells that ...
Crunchy kosher dills. Hamantaschen filled with prune levkar. Date honey and pomegranate molasses. Foods like these demonstrate how preserving has played an important role in Jewish cuisine, both ...
These rainy fall days have me craving one of my favorite comfort dishes - cassoulet. This traditional French dish is a hearty mix of duck confit, pork and beans that warmed farmer’s bellies for the ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make the perfect accompaniment ...
We had pasta a lot growing up for several reasons. First, it was a family favorite. Second, it was quick, and I am sure the third reason was because it was cheap. All those reasons still hold true ...
With the arrival of October comes pumpkin-spiced everything. From pumpkin spiced lattes to pumpkin pancakes to pumpkin pie, the flavor of pumpkin is everywhere. While I do love pumpkin in either ...
The pumpkin season is undeniably upon us. Just last week I went to the grocery store, and couldn't believe the assortment of pumpkin-flavored items available. There was everything you could imagine ...
I just got back from a whirlwind vacation across Europe, gorging my way through five countries before rolling into Istanbul. Ahhh Istanbul--land of lamb chops so pink that even Mary would have had ...
I love autumn. While spring is all green and fresh and lovely, the colors of autumn are incredible. I love all that it brings: the beautiful changing colors on the trees, pumpkins, the slight nip ...
I have spent the last couple of weeks journaling my recent wilderness trip. I was hoping to have it ready in time for this month's blog, but stay tuned for it next month! In the meantime, fall has ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make his favorite soup, Alton ...
Three things prompted my blog post this month. Labor Day weekend 2017 marked the 19th anniversary of my Dad passing away. Like me, my Dad was diabetic, but he never let that stop him from eating his ...
Breakfast seems to be the meal that most people have the hardest time making nutritionally balanced (if they eat it at all). Whether that's because people find fewer foods appetizing early in the ...
Just because Labor Day has come and gone doesn't mean you should pack up your grill. Standing over a flaming hot grill during the height of summer can have its challenges, so take advantage of the ...
Sweet corn takes me back to my childhood more than almost any food. I grew up on a little acreage in Iowa and our mainstay was sweet corn. We not only grew it for ourselves, we sold it and traded ...
It's been called “The Impossible Chocolate Cake” and “Magic Mexican Chocolate Flan Cake,” but I prefer calling it “Chocoflan!” Chocoflan is a combination of chocolate cake on the bottom with a ...
I love the idea of sharing small plates when it coming to dining because it allows for such great variety to be enjoyed. I also think small plates always seem to make the meal more fun! I feel like ...
There seems to be this unwritten phenomenon among The Chopping Block's employees, where after our Know Your Gnocchi class, someone who worked the class is inspired to go home and make gnocchi from ...
I’ve been enjoying the fruits of my garden all summer long--cucumbers, zucchini, hot peppers and so many cherry tomatoes but the one thing that I wait for all summer--my great, big, juicy heirloom ...
Having friends and family over for breakfast or brunch is one of my very favorite things to do. Breakfast and brunch can be some of the most simple, delicious, and versatile meals!
Fluffy, light, sweet whipped cream. Is there anything better? During a recent birthday party at The Chopping Block's Merchandise Mart location, we had a whipped cream contest! Two teams of thre had ...
It seems to me that most people kind of like oatmeal but don’t really love oatmeal. Most people may eat it because it is fast, cheap and healthy. Those might be the three big reasons to love ...
Truffle Honey and Truffle Salt: Two of our Favorite Foods
If you've ever stepped through the doors of The Chopping Block, you've probably sampled our famous popcorn and other fresh delicious treats featuring Truffled Salt. We sure do love this stuff ...
Italy is one of those places you can’t help but love. You’re guaranteed a good meal nearly anywhere, anytime, in every region. My love of Italy started on a trip during middle school, so I knew when ...
When we were in Italy last fall, I fell in love with these wonderful little rolled zucchini bites that Rosella, our Agriturismo host, whipped up. I remember asking her what kind of cheese was in ...
You either love it or you hate it. That’s how it goes with some foods. One such vegetable that most people tend to skew heavily one way or the other on are Brussels sprouts. As I teach the young ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make a salad that is designed ...
Even after cooking all day at work, I come home still eager to make a meal. I love to cook, but even the most enthusiastic chef has days where they would rather relax and have someone else take ...
I think it was in the early 80’s that I was introduced to GORP. One of my teammates had it on a bus to a field hockey game. It had peanuts, raisins and M&M’s and it was delicious. It was deemed the ...
Pineapple Pink Pepper Sorbet: A Light, Refreshing Summer Dessert
You'd think after last month’s butternut squash ice cream brainstorm that I was obsessed with ice cream. Well, I am! I'm also a big fan of combining unique flavor combinations… within reason of ...
My wife informed me that we would be having company for dinner last Sunday and that our guests would expect me to cook something delicious. I agree that's a fair expectation, but the situation put ...
Now that it is officially bathing suit season, this is the time when many people start to get really serious about healthy eating to keep that beach bod in check. One of the hard parts about ...
I have been a chef with The Chopping Block for almost 2 years now. In that short time, I have learned a lot more about cooking than I ever did in my previous 10 years in restaurant kitchens. A big ...
One of my favorite things about the weekend is being able to spend time in my kitchen in the morning before anyone else is up. I sip my piping hot coffee, and the only sounds are the birds chirping ...
Summer’s Not Just For Kids Anymore with These Boozy Popsicles
Hot days, cold pools, ice cream trucks and adult beverages--combine all of the delights of summer into one with these icy cold fruit, herb and liquor-filled treats! The recipes are simple, the ...
As the summer season begins, so too does entertaining season. One of the more frequent questions I get from students is about appetizers. Everyone seems to be a “deer caught in headlights” about the ...
A couple of weeks ago Michael, a good friend from San Miguel de Allende, Mexico called to tell me that he was planning a visit to Chicago. He was coming in as a consultant to help generate ideas ...
Paella is one of those dishes that I love to eat, but seldom make at home. It’s one of those specialties you need to order in a restaurant for it to be made properly, right?
One of the biggest sources of inspiration in the kitchen for me are old and classic recipes. One of my most formative kitchen experiences was working in a innovative diner. It specialized in making ...
As you may have heard, The Chopping Block has recently partnered with the iOS app MyRedBag to help make your at-home cooking experience easier and more enjoyable!
In my last post, I discussed the different roles of the three macronutrients and how to roughly determine how many of them to be consuming each day. When it is all said and done, if your goal is to ...
My favorite dough, the pâte à choux, is back in another starring role. There’s nothing you can’t do with this versatile dough - from sweet Eclairs and Profiteroles, to Parisian Gnocchi and a ...
Who doesn't love pizza? Everybody loves pizza! Sure, it's easy to pick up the phone and order one from the corner pizzeria, but it isn’t very difficult to make you own gourmet pizza, top it with ...
“But… what do vegans eat?” If I had a nickel for every time i was asked that question, I’d have… well, I’d have a lot of nickels! Most people are aware of tofu, and even tempeh, as major vegan ...
I'm pretty sure Taco Tuesday is the best thing ever invented. I love Mexican food and growing up, it was one of my favorite dinners that my Mom made me. I say “me” because I know I am my Mom’s ...
As you've probably heard, The Chopping Block is celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. We marked this milestone with two big birthday bashes last month that featured some of our favorite food ...
Isn't homemade, fresh bread always better than anything you can find in the store? That's a rhetorical question. I have been thinking about making fresh pita bread for some time now, and I finally ...
Not many people would be able to say no to a pizza straight out of the oven - the sight and aroma of a well-cooked pizza is enough to make your mouth water.
I’ve been trying to eat healthier the past couple of months, so I decided to introduce ground turkey breast meat into my diet. On one hand, it wasn’t that difficult of a decision to make, most of ...
The Return of Mario, Grilling Season and Mother's Day Ribs
I find it no coincidence that my return to the blog-o-sphere has coincided with another return… grilling season! Finally, we get to enjoy a bit of warm-ish weather, grab some new charcoal or fill up ...
I have a really bad habit of mismanaging my time before heading off to work or some other engagement. I will get into a productive mode that is hard to detach from, which then means a rush to get out ...
After selling the family home in late 2016, I became the proud owner of some of my Mom’s kitchen items. Her original 1960’s Chrome bullet Mixmaster complete with meat grinder attachment and more ...
Got Leftover Easter Ham? Make Split Pea and Ham Soup
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us what to do with that leftover Easter ...
Baby Pavlovas: A Light and Airy Treat from Down Under
The world of meringue is completely out of my comfort zone. I prefer to cook savory food, but every so often there's a part of me that gets the baking bug.
This Italian Family's Manicotti Recipe is No Longer a Secret
Some say “Home is where the heart is.” For me, home is where the food is. There is nothing better than the smell and warmth of a homemade pot of Marinara Sauce on the stove and a bunch of cheese ...
Chicago is a brunch city. There’s no doubt about that. On any given Saturday or Sunday morning, you’ll find yourself facing a one to three hour wait at the majority of establishments. The wait is ...
Whenever I host a party for friends and family, I put a lot of thought into what kind of a party I want to have. After all, if your're going to go to all of the trouble and expense, you want it to ...
With Monday having been the first day of Spring, I’m into all things “fresh” right now. Out with soups and stews and in with veggies, seafood and wraps. I love this time of year because I feel like ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make one of his favorite dishes ...
Mi Manca l'Italia: Reminiscing about the Best Food on the Planet
It has been almost one year since my trip to Italy, and there’s nowhere I would rather be, and with a big bowl of pasta in front of me. Each time I visit I realize how different each region is and ...
A 20 Year Classic of The Chopping Block: Crab Cakes
I hadn’t cooked dinner in a while for my friends and wanted to make them something special. So I decided to make crab cakes. It all starts with real crab. This recipe has several ingredients, ...
Chefs are a lot alike in many respects. We like to work in a kitchen that offers us opportunities to learn. Many of us have had more jobs throughout our careers than people in other professions ...
New Meatless Meal Idea: Vegan Lentil Pasta with Kale Pesto
My daughter-in-law Lizz, who lives in Austin, Texas, the home of all that is holy - BBQ, is vegan. Yep, she's a short car ride from Rudy's BBQ that has the best moist brisket I've ever had and close ...
Oh avocados, my culinary love-hate relationship. I love how creamy and rich they are. I love that they make great guacamole, salsa, salad, and great spread on toast. I love that they're filling and ...
Adventures in Cheese Making: Ricotta in Three Easy Steps
It's easy to make cheese at home. You need only simple equipment (a strainer, a pot) and ingredients you likely already have on hand (heavy cream, milk, vinegar, salt) and just a little bit of time. ...
March in the Midwest brings some dreary rainy days, and dreary days scream for soup! One of my favorite soups is the Vietnamese soup Pho (pronounced fuh).
Getting your family fed in the morning before everyone rushes off to school and work is a very challenging task. You want breakfast to be filling, nutritious, and easy to prepare… all without ...
Donuts are good, but let’s face it, when it comes to food, New Orleans knows best, and beignets are the ultimate donut in my opinion. If you’ve been to New Orleans (perhaps for yesterday's Mardi ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make one of the most popular ...
That's a pretty big claim. I can think of a hundred different ways to make a crazy-delicious French Toast. But this one is my absolute favorite. It is simple but incorporates a special little twist ...
Growing up in Chicagoland in the 70s and 80s, I don’t remember eating much ethnic food. We were a meat and potatoes kind of family. And is with most families with three children with three ...
Making Dessert for your Valentine: Score with Strawberry Pasta
Box of fancy candies? Cliché. Chocolate covered strawberries? Done to death. Conversation hearts? We're not in grade school anymore! So what to do when you need a unique crowd pleasing... or date ...
Fall and winter are two of my favorite seasons. The meals during these times tend to be a bit heartier, comforting and warming. Those seasonal meals deliver the perfect warming hug to help get you ...
With Valentine's Day lurking around the corner, it's time to eat chocolate! I don't need an excuse to eat chocolate, but I feel better about indulging when everyone else is doing the same.
Valentine’s Day is just under two weeks away. Did you forget? It’s easy for this holiday to sneak up on a person, and next thing you know it, you are scrambling to find a dinner reservation. Do not ...
Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and we all know who makes the best valentines… our furry friends! Instead of buying store-bought treats, make your sweet pups some homemade biscuits with ...
The answer to this question is YES! I actually suggest both of these brands. While they are both cast iron and can perform many of the same functions, I’ve found it worthwhile to have several styles ...
Polenta is an ingredient that may sound exotic and unapproachable, but it is in fact, easy to make, and even better… it's delicious! Every cook knows you should always try a food at least once, ...
Simply Delicious: Maiale al Latte (Milk-Braised Pork)
The classic Italian dish of Maiale al latte (milk-braised pork) is one of my favorite examples of the rustic simplicity of Italian cuisine. The origins of Maiale al latte are hotly debated with ...
Whenever the New Year rolls around I always have my fair share of “resolutions.” Lose weight is always the number one year after year, but after that, at least for the month of January, I like to ...
Vegan Almond "Ricotta" - A Non-Dairy Decadence Made Easy
Who doesn’t crave a creamy bubbly lasagna, or a decadent stuffed ravioli? Who wouldn’t want to indulge in a sweet and crispy cannoli, or sweet & fluffy crepes? These classic comfort foods all have ...
Agar Agar: The Gelling Agent So Nice They Named It Twice
Agar Agar sounds like something a molecular gastronomy food scientist would have and only they would know what to do with it. But the truth is, it is very easy to work with and readily available at ...
It’s the first week of January, and people all over the world are making resolutions. A common resolution is to try and lead a healthier lifestyle by eating better food. A simple and delicious way to ...
There’s something magical about garlic, cream, white wine and fresh herbs. Maybe it’s because when you simmer them together they play a beautiful ballad. Perhaps it’s simplicity at its best. Maybe… ...
Now that the holiday season is winding down, but the weather outside is still chilly, hibernation season is in progress. This is a time when we’re licking our financial wounds from spoiling our loved ...
Since my Thanksgiving Cornucopia was so much fun, I decided to tackle another favorite recipe from my childhood - the Buche de Noel or Yule Log. Between wrapping presents, hosting a holiday party or ...
It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here! The event I’ve been waiting for all year! No, it’s not that holiday this weekend where we celebrate by buying stuff. It’s the time of year where everyone ...
It's an inside joke at my house that there is never anything in the fridge to make a meal. At least every time my girlfriend checks, that seems to be the case. I, of course, immediately welcome ...
To some it's a powerful culinary ingredient, to others basil holds religious and medical significance, while others simply put it on their bruschetta. Basil is common and one of the oldest herbs ...
A few months back, I had purchased some fresh black truffles for a dinner party I catered, and I had a small piece of truffle leftover. I, of course, was not going to let that truffle go to waste ...
I am a competitive person by nature. Not sure if it’s growing up with a twin sister and we competed against each other at times, but if there is ever a contest going on that I can remotely ...
While celebrating the holidays, cheering on favorite sports teams, and avoiding the winter cold, people want to eat their favorite dip dishes together. That being said, after the fifth cheese-based ...
Impress Your Guests with This Easy and Elegant Appetizer
Because this is the time of year when a lot of us are hosting holiday parties, I'm inspired to share a very simple and impressive recipe for your next party that your guests are sure to love.
Homemade Candied Nuts, a Christkindlmarket Classic
Chicago's Christkindlmarket is a wonderful tradition full of sights, smells, and flavors of the holidays. From ornaments, to toys, to the famous German Gluhwein, there's something for everyone. But ...
I know, I know. You already have the world's greatest, undisputed, competition-winning-if-you’d-ever-submit-it chili recipe. You have that special tequnique of stirring counter-clockwise in your ...
If you aren't craving Thanksgiving leftovers today, I have a dish that is hearty and satisfying and also helps warm up the house on a cold day. Better yet, it's not turkey!
You have a $20 bag of coffee and your new French press. Now, it's time to put away your granulated sugar and elevate your coffee with simple syrup. Simple syrup is easy to make and has multiple ...
This time of year when it’s starting to get chilly, my favorite comfort food is a nice warm bowl of soup. As the temperatures started to drop this past weekend, and I was eyeing the beautiful ...
There is an old proverb that says “The way to a man’s heart is through their stomach.” So when I had the opportunity to cook for my husband for the first time, it was late May, still a bit cool ...
Vegan Holiday Decadence: Chocolate Candy Cane Tart
One of my secret guilty pleasures about being vegan is proving to many skeptics that plant-based food is delicious, rich, and satisfying. Despite this proving to be quite the challenge at times, it ...
Thanksgiving is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday. It’s full of family, friends, and lots of amazing food – all of which I’m incredibly thankful for. So often, we take for granted how many ...
I love pickles. I love the crunch and vinegary bite! They are such a great accompaniment for so many things and the possibilities are endless when it come to making them. You can pickle so many ...
It's that time of year when the grocery stores are displaying bins overflowing with beautiful winter squash. I was inspired by the fall bounty of butternut squash that was on sale, so I added it to ...
One of the big-time benefits to living in the great city of Chicago is the vast array of cuisines that are at our fingertips. It doesn’t take much to happen upon authentic food offerings from a ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make one of his family's ...
This recipe has been floating around my house for years. It’s from one of my favorite cookbooks, Dorie Greenspan’s Around My French Table. For some reason, I had never made it before recently, which ...
I consider myself to be more of a cook than a baker. And that’s mostly because I love savory food over sweet food. So when I bake, I mostly make bread. Now I know working with yeast can be ...
I love breakfast and brunch! When I have the time, I love cooking a giant hearty breakfast, whether it's for myself, my boyfriend, or a full room of people. I also love showing people that vegan food ...
One of the beauties of cooking is that even a simplistic dish can be a flavor-filled pleasure. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly enjoy making those dishes which have two million elements to them and ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he shows us how to make a Rosemary Bacon Burger ...
Cooking a balanced and well-composed meal doesn’t require anything other than a few ingredients and a couple of simple techniques. The Chopping Block shows you this every week in our new ...
I have always loved the combination of sweet, savory and salty. Sweet and savory can't go hand in hand without salt. Salt bridges the two together to create some pretty incredible flavors.
One of the most convenient dessert ingredients at the grocery store is condensed milk. Often used to make custards, pies, cheesecakes, and especially quick & easy fudge, condensed milk is a quick way ...
While I’ve always loved the abundance of farmers markets in the city during the summer, I thought it would be a bit more gratifying to grow my own vegetables this year. Admittedly, my garden quickly ...
One of my favorite smells of summer is the sweet and pungent aroma of my herb garden on a hot afternoon, and one of my favorite challenges is finding ways to use every single clipping! If you're a ...
I've been on an eggplant kick recently for good reason. Eggplant is so versatile and delicious! I know… not everyone likes eggplant, but hear me out. One bite of this grilled version of Eggplant ...
This may be a bit more of a fall and winter dish, but I recently happened to have on hand some extra pie dough, a chicken and some stock. Not to mention it's been a long time since I tasted that ...
Brown Sugar Sriracha Popcorn: Sweet, Spicy, Crunchy Love
The one skill all employees at The Chopping Block master quickly is how to make perfect stovetop popcorn. If you have ever been to one of our cooking classes or private cooking events, you’ve ...
If someone tells me that they don’t like a particular vegetable, I always suggest they try it roasted first. This is particularly true with broccoli. It truly makes all the difference in the world ...
It's now summer, so it's a great time to relive Summercamp and dream about other festival food I will eat this summer. Festival food has evolved into its own subculture, such as Crawfish Monica at ...
There are often times I come home at the end of the day and go on a search through my pantry and refrigerator. I want something delicious for dinner, however the search usually ends pretty quickly ...
It’s barbecue season and, while I love grilling up a storm, sides are often my favorite part of a barbecue. Beans, greens, potato salads, and my personal favorite, mac & cheese are easy dishes to ...
A Look into the History of Spam and Why You Should Try It
With Memorial Day now behind us, a long weekend that many take advantage of for quick, mini-vacations, I found myself reflecting on some of my past travels. Sometimes it can be difficult to choose a ...
I've never made donuts from scratch. When I was younger, I improvised by opening a can of biscuits, deep frying them, and tossing them in sugar. So, it's no surprise I jumped at the chance to ...
Something Missing in your Dish? Add a Dash of Tabasco Sauce
I grew up with Tabasco sauce on the table, right next to the salt and pepper. Sometimes the salt even has Tabasco in it. Avery Island in South Lousiana, where Tabasco began, is just a few miles away ...
There are lots of great store-bought granolas, but one of my favorite simple pleasures in life is warm granola. Fresh from the oven and filling the room with a smell I can only describe as “warm ...
Who doesn’t love making cookies? With two young boys at home, I find myself making them pretty often. They like to help out and appreciate eating the cookies even more when they are a part of the ...
It's travel season, and last month, my family set out on one of the great trials of parenthood: taking a toddler on a plane. We asked for lots of advice before we left and the one common denominator ...
I took a quick food tour through some Southern states sampling BBQ, shrimp Po’ Boys, grilled oysters, crawfish and beignets last week. Despite a bevy of delicious meals, the standout winner was a ...
Coconut Macaroons: An Easy and Elegant French Dessert
French food gets a bad rap oftentimes for being an unapproachable and difficult-to-cook cuisine at home, only to be enjoyed in expensive, upscale restaurants. I am here to tell you that some of those ...
Pasta Versatility: How to Make and Use Homemade Pasta
I love all things food, from picnics to paella to peaches and now, my latest obsession is pasta. I love teaching Pasta Workshop at The Chopping Block because we show students how to make their own ...
Kugel. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. Most of the time, when I say kugel, people either look at me with a strange expression, or they say, “Bless you”.
Whipped Cream: A Versatile and Easy Complement to Any Dessert
There are many things in life we take for granted. For example, I will eat the same beloved foods time and time again, but don’t always ask myself the question, “How is this made”? It’s an important ...
I have three favorite drinks that I prefer to drink on a nice, warm sunny day: hibiscus water, tamarind water, and one of my all time favorites, Horchata. My family tends to make all of these drinks ...
Trying to create “healthy substitutes” of your favorite comfort foods can sometimes be a challenge. Is it even possible to replace one of your favorite dishes with a healthier version and have it ...
We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. Here, he tackles Giada De Laurentiis' Simple Bolognese.
One of the things I love most about my job is that there is always something new to learn. It doesn’t matter if it’s from another chef, assistant, retail associate or manager, or even a student ...
You know what I’m talking about when I say food evokes memories. It’s the smell of your mom’s homemade biscuits that used to wake you up on Sunday morning, the sound of popcorn being popped that ...
I have to admit that the inspiration for this dish came from an effort to clean out my freezer. We always have some frozen protein stashed somewhere in there, since I like to buy the family-size ...
If you've been to The Chopping Block, you know we love to sample out the products we carry in our retail stores. We usually offer a variety of popcorn with different seasonings such as our famous ...
I was talking to my brother on the phone recently, and he started asking me a bunch of questions on how to make Beef Wellington. He had seen a video online and decided he would give it a try. This is ...
With this week's warm weather blast, it looks like winter is winding down. When that happens, the days of binge watching Game of Thrones also come to an end. But while you are watching TV during ...
Lamb, eggplant and tomatoes, oh my! I’m referring to the classic Greek dish Moussaka, and if you haven’t already tried this dish, you’ve been missing out. But, don’t feel bad… I’m going to teach ...
Most of us need to incorporate more vegetables into our diet. Why not wrap them in a corn tortilla and cover them with tomatillo salsa? I wanted to cook something fairly healthy to give to some ...
Depending on their usage, common egg substitutes have been tofu, cornstarch, potato starch, tapioca, applesauce, bananas, chickpea flour, ground flaxseed, and various commercial egg replacements. ...
Fact: I love cooking gadgets. So when I got a spiralizer for Christmas, I was really excited! It’s turned out to be one of my favorite tools in the kitchen. The spiralizer makes it really easy to ...
A couple of weeks ago my daughter, Delilah, really wanted to make ravioli from scratch (a blog post for the future!), so the whole family got together and busted out some dough and made a ricotta ...
As a savory chef, this may be blasphemous to say but the best part of any meal for me is the dessert. I am a self-proclaimed chocoholic and one of my favorite treats are chocolate truffles. I love ...
Speedy Simple Supper: Creamy Broccoli Soup with Cheddar
The holidays are in full swing. Soirees, holiday parties and family get-togethers have filled your days and nights for the past few weeks. Perhaps you even celebrated with us at The Chopping Block ...
An Untraditional Pancake for a Christmas Morning Tradition
Christmastime is finally here, and I am among the many that are thrilled by this fact. I love so much about this time of year. I really enjoy all the traditions that come along with the holidays – ...
December is one of my favorite months. It's the last month of the year, my birthday month, there are holidays are being celebrated, and then there's the start of winter. This year, meteorological ...
One of the cheeses I was most excited to learn to make this summer at my two-day cheese making class at the Ploughshare Institute in Waco, Texas was goat cheese. Although it is an assertive cheese, ...
The Christmas season is here, and it is a time filled with joy, family, friends, and desserts... lots and lots of desserts. I recently hosted a Christmas party with friends. I was in charge of ...
My favorite thing to do this time of year is to count how many times people say “I love Christmas.” I think at this point in our lives and in our society, we can all just assume that most people ...
Growing up there were a lot of different things I loved about the New Year holiday. As a child, it was watching the ball drop and banging pots and pans in the street at the stroke of midnight. As a ...
If you read my last post you already know that I have a new found love of baking bread. There is just something very cathartic and meditative about the entire process. Something happens when I’m ...
Need to get rid of yet another holiday leftover taking up valuable fridge real estate? Try these easy cheesy mashed potato pancakes. With a start to finish time of about 15 minutes and an ability ...
Last week, I taught the "Fall Vegetable Harvest" cooking class at The Chopping Block. I was so impressed with the outcome of one of the recipes that I wanted to recreate it at home right away: ...
You nailed the turkey yesterday, didn’t you? Then you enjoyed that epic turkey sandwich at midnight… the one with the stuffing and cranberry sauce. But now you’re wondering what to do with the rest ...
Making food from scratch versus buying prepared products has so many advantages: not only do you have more appreciation for the finished product but you'll enjoy the process of creating it. You can ...
Family Cooking Night - Meals You Can Make and Enjoy Together
Families cooking and eating a meal together has become less of a tradition these days, due largely in part to an increasing amount of worldly distractions that leave family bonding time and a nice ...
