The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Keeping it Simple: Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

I was recently invited to a lavish potluck. The host requested that guests bring our best decadent dish along with a card describing the dish. As I read the invitation, my mind started working. ...

Meet our New Pro-Carb Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Everyone seems to be anti-carb these days so most people wouldn't think a dietitian would be one to embrace bread in a diet, but our new Registered Dietitian Nutritionist claims to be "super ...

My Bagel Experience

I woke up bright and early on a recent Monday morning inspired by our popular artisanal bread making class and ready to make homemade bagels. I also remembered when my sister came to visit me when I ...

Pork Chili Verde: Versatility Personified

If you’re anything like me, very few things satisfy like slow-braised meat dishes. I use my Le Creuset braiser, a piece of enameled cast iron cookware we carry at The Chopping Block, a lot. I ...

Tostones: A Delicious Caribbean Treat

As the curriculum coordinator of The Chopping Block, it's my job to create new and exciting menus for our class calendar that support our mission in Getting the Country to Cook. When I come up with ...

Spiced Oven Baked Ribs

I love having dinner parties for my friends. It allows me to incorporate quality time with friends and my love for trying new recipes. Each dinner party I choose one recipe that I know is a show ...

Buttermilk Cornbread that Out Breads the Rest

This cornbread recipe is by far one of the best cornbread recipes that I have made. I had a Southern-themed dinner party the other night that was inspired by a 5-spiced rib recipe. Since corn is ...

The Art of the Vinaigrette

I remember the first time a house-made salad dressing rocked my world. It was the summer of 1988, and I was bussing tables at a swanky new bistro in town. I was 17, and just beginning what would ...

Trust Us, You will Devour this Monster Cookie

Oatmeal M&M + chocolate chip + double chocolate chip cookie = a confectionary everyone becomes excited about. Three recipes, one cookie means there is something for everyone. The doughs are all ...

Spicy Corn, Bacon and Candied Jalapeno Dip

I raided the refrigerator at our Lincoln Square store last Sunday in the hopes of coming up with a creative and delicious tasting for all of our guests to enjoy as they shopped. I found a few ears of ...

Swedish Meatballs: A Retro Revival

If your family is anything like mine, any festive event, party, holiday, family gathering all revolved around one thing: food. Whether it was pizza for birthdays, ham for Easter, or turkey for ...

Flan: the Most Heavenly Caramel Custard

My husband and I hosted Mother's Day brunch at our house last weekend, and although it's a lot of work, I would rather spend quality time with my mom in the comfort of our home rather than a ...

How to Grow a SCOBY and make Kombucha at Home

The world of kombucha has been something of a mystery for a long time and aside from a few movie references and jokes about it, the average person didn’t really know much about it. It wasn’t until ...

Celebrate Churros and Mexican Chocolate Sauce

Whether you celebrated Cinco de Mayo or not, we can all agree that homemade churros with chocolate sauce should be celebrated. My friend recently had a taco-themed dinner party and when she asked ...

What's Jollof? Your New Favorite Rice Dish

I recently got back from a trip to Ghana with my mom and sister. We spent 10 days exploring the country from the capital of Accra, north to Kumasi for the Festival of the Golden Stool and out to the ...

Quest for Cassoulet

I have eaten a lot of cassoulet over the years and have a developed an understanding of what it should be: both rich and light, both crunchy and creamy, both earthy and bright and without a doubt, ...

Buffalo Chicken and Waffles

I’ve talked about my love of entertaining for brunch. But sometimes I can’t decide whether I want to make a sweet brunch, or a savory one. Why not both?

Food Comics: Thumbprint Cookies

Share 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 Thumbprint Cookies ...

Three Easy S’more Recipes that Don’t Require a Bonfire

We did it; we survived another winter. There is only one way to celebrate: S’mores! We’re talking fluffy marshmallows and melted chocolate sandwiched between two crisp graham crackers. The summer is ...

Hasselback Chicken

In the past few weeks, I’ve been making an effort to eat more protein and less carbohydrates. Chicken breast is one of my favorite proteins because it’s lean and so versatile. It can be cooked ...

Baking and Building a Wedding Cake

I recently had the honor of making a wedding cake for a friend. I had creative control with the exception of the cake flavor, which had to be chocolate. I thumbed through my collection of recipes ...

Your New Favorite Spring Soup

As far as holiday dinners go, I think my favorite is Easter dinner. It wasn’t always that way, though. Back in the day, when my sister bought her first house, Thanksgiving quickly became her ...

Chipotle Chicken with Avocado Leaves

Spring is upon us, even though it did not look like it a couple of weeks ago here in Chicago. We had a mixture of snow and hail on a Sunday, and we even needed to salt the sidewalk at our Lincoln ...

Gluten-Free Scones that are actually Delicious

Delicious gluten-free scones? Can they exist? I often find it hard to describe gluten-free breads as delicious, but it's not for lack of trying. My mom has been gluten-free for years, and she ...

Soufflé All Day

Spring has finally hit Chicago with a vengeance: flowers popping, showers washing away the last dregs of winter and warm breezy nights blowing in the promise of summer. The first signs of life are ...

Poor Man's Lobster Rolls

I was such a picky eater growing up. I remember summers at my grandparents’ house in Virginia. My grandpa would go crabbing and bring home bushels of crabs that my grandma would then boil in giant ...

One "Sweet" Birthday Cake

My birthday was last week, and one of my favorite things to do is to bake my own birthday cake! I get to make whatever I’m craving and it’s just plain fun for me. Sometimes eating it includes ...

Stuffed Crust Pizza Dip

My French Onion Dip was a hit last month when my friends joined me for the Super Bowl, so when it came time to start watching March Madness, I knew I had to come up with a dip that would be the ...

Rigatoni Pie Alla Vodka: a Terrifying Challenge Conquered

I love taking on challenges in the kitchen, and they usually involve baking. But for at least two years I’ve been curious about the process of making a Rigatoni Pie.

A Simple Taste of Spring with Yotam Ottolenghi

Creating our new monthly Cook the Book series has been an exciting experience for me as the curriculum developer at The Chopping Block. It has given me the opportunity to learn and gain inspiration ...

Avgolemono Warms the Soul

Everyone has heard of chicken noodle soup and if you haven’t, go whip up a batch or grab a can of Campbell's, it's known as an American classic for a reason. Chicken noodle soup found its way to ...

A Family’s Favorite Cheesecake Recipe

Let’s talk about one of my favorite desserts, cheesecake. Thick crust with a creamy center and a generous amount of topping. Delicious. I am going to walk you through a recipe that my grandmother ...

Spring Clean your Comfort Food with Tuna Zoodle Casserole

As a kid growing up in Southern California, I didn’t eat many casseroles. When my mom departed the Midwest for Los Angeles, she left a whole bunch of dishes behind along with her winter coats. So, ...

Classic Beef Stew – Know Your Meat

I am not sure Mother Nature has gotten the memo yet. It’s already March. I should be making spring-type dishes instead of beef stew! But I figured this would be a good a good opportunity to talk ...

Why Wisconsin Goat Cheese is an Underrated Ingredient

Winter’s bitter chill practically begs for a melted-cheese dish, am I right? Defaults tend to be grilled-cheese sandwiches and pots of mac ‘n cheese—mostly because they are easy to whip up—but, ...

Chicken Soup is Always the Answer

I recently realized that I ask myself a laundry list of recurring questions every day:

Go with your Gut - Eat Pizza

In recent years, there has been an increasing number of research studies that demonstrate a link between our digestive tracts or our “guts” to overall health. We have growing evidence that we should ...

A Grown-Up Version of a Childhood Favorite: Buttered Noodles

Like many of you, I sometimes struggle to cook at home. It's easier to order out or heat up a frozen meal. But cooking for yourself can be just as convenient as ordering Postmates for the fifth night ...

Take Your Happiness Into Your Own Hands: Make Your Own Bagels

I’m not going to say it's impossible to find a good bagel in Chicago. That would be irresponsible. But they are few and far between (Sorry, Chicago; I respect you too much to lie), which means that ...

Choosing, Understanding and Making the Most of a Recipe

Have you ever looked up a recipe online and ended up buying $70 worth of ingredients to make it? It's so common these days with the millions of recipes available on the internet. Although some ...

The Quickest Way to your Valentine’s Heart: a 20-minute Comfort Food Dinner

I have a love/hate relationship with Valentine’s day. It always seems to stress me out, whether it was when I was single and felt left out, or now that I am married and I feel pressure to outdo ...

How to Make Homemade Mexican-Style Chorizo

I love chorizo, and I am honestly baffled when I meet someone who doesn’t. When I ask people what they don’t like about chorizo, they often say it is because it is greasy. I’ll admit it can be ...

Beef Paprikash: A Cold-Weather Cure

Like many of you, when it was ridiculously cold last week, I went into survival mode. In addition to filling my gas tank and changing my furnace filter, I also made sure we had plenty of wine in ...

A Cooking Project for You and your Kids

Over the holidays, my girlfriend's daughter Amelia had a school project in which she was assigned to make a traditional dish. The students picked a country randomly from a hat and then had to ...

Brunch Chilaquiles

Brunch is one of my favorite meals to host. It’s always more laid back, no one seems to be in a hurry and truth be told, I like how inexpensive it can be.

Winning French Onion Dip

Football is a big deal in my house. Sundays are spent in sweatpants, cozied up on the couch, yelling at the TV, and enjoying delicious food to go along with the games (this is an all-day affair after ...

Grits vs Polenta: A Match of Equal Deliciousness

When I broke in my new kitchen a few weeks ago with a dinner party for friends, the star of the show was my Asiago cheese grits with fresh herbs. Just recently, my good friend Dan Smith of The ...

Celebrate Carnival with King Cake Cupcakes

I love Mardi Gras season for many reasons: my birthday, parades with masked people and their "throws" (i.e. beads and trinkets), and King Cake. Being from Louisiana, I'm particularly picky about my ...

Avocados + Chickpeas = “Hummole”

Try thinking of foods that are good for you and that you also have little to no guilt eating obscene amounts of. Did hummus and guacamole cross your mind? Gun to your head: which would you choose ...

Not Your Mama's Creamed Spinach

It's always such a great shopping experience going to my favorite, local market because they carry such a wide and diverse variety of products at very reasonable prices. While perusing their ...

Show True Love with Beef Wellington

I always have a hard time deciding what to make for a holiday meal. For weeks, I think about how I can top the year before, what should stay, what should go, and what I can make that will impress my ...

Food Comics: Rib-Eye Steak au Poivre

We are pleased to introduce Food Comics from The Chopping Block where our resident Cartoonist Tom O'Brien illustrates his cooking adventures. In this edition, Tom has an early idea for Valentine's ...

The Best Gluten Free Pizza

Now that we are in the new year, I know everyone is thinking "clean eating!" "more veggies!" "less booze!" Me? I'm thinking I will never give up Party Pizza Friday. Like ever.

When Inspiration Strikes: The Story of the Cannoli Cake

Have you ever had the urge to create a new and different dish but didn't have the foggiest idea of what to make? Or have you ever wondered how to put the seemingly random ingredients in your ...

Cocoa Loco and Loving It

The world of hot chocolate is a vast, diverse, fascinating and a bit overwhelming. It’s a beverage that most connect with cold weather and holiday spirit, but please take note, the hot cocoa most of ...

Caramel is Liquid Gold

Drizzled over cheesecake, stirred into coffee, mixed into brownies, served with Pot de Creme or dunked with apple slices, caramel sauce is a versatile and fun way to turn any treat into an event, and ...

Put your Slow Cooker to Work this Holiday Season

There's a dish I love to make during the holiday season, especially now that it's getting colder. I served it on Friendsgiving this year, but it's very non-traditional in many ways.

Salad Lyonnaise: A Cozy and Satisfying Winter Salad

I'm not always inclined to eat salads during the winter months, but occasionally it feels good to balance all of those rich and hearty cold weather foods with something bright and crisp. Salad ...

Rugelach for all of the Holidays

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 ...

Breakfast Baked Potatoes

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.

It's Dungeness Crab Season

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 ...

How to Make Fresh Cranberry Juice

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 ...

All Hands on Pie

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 ...

Food Comics: Butternut Squash Pie

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 ...

Apple Extravaganza

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 ...

5 Minute Mug Cakes

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 ...

The World’s Most Delicious Snowflakes

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 Biscuits or "Delicuits" for Thanksgiving

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 ...

5 Ways to Healthify Your Chili This Fall

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 ...

Red Cabbage and Green Apple Slaw

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 ...

Home Grown Gold

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 ...

Greek Meatballs on Homemade Naan

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 ...

Moroccan Braised Chicken

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 ...

A Farewell to the Sweet Corn of Summer

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 ...

More Mojo Please

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 ...

Butterscotch Pudding: An Oldie but a Goodie

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 ...

Red Beans and Rice with Fried Chicken

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!

PB&J Cobbler

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 ...

This Coffee Cake is Bananas

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 ...

A Meal Planning Win: Veal Meatballs, Four Ways

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 ...

A Southern Tradition

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 ...

Easy, Anytime, Oven-Baked Onion Rings

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 ...

Farmers Market Corn and Potato Soup

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 ...

Chocolate Avocado Zucchini Bread

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 ...

Mini Zucchini Bread Three Ways

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. ...

Everyone Needs Friends with Figs

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 ...

No-Bake Fruit Tart Bites

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 ...

One Pot of Bolognese = Five Different Dishes

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 ...

Pineapple Party

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!

Recalling a Few Cookie Memories of My Youth

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 ...

Summer Corn Salad for Picnic Season

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 ...

Summer BBQ Bash: A Cookout without the Cleanup

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 ...

What-A-Melon: Four Ways to Use a Watermelon

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 ...

Korean Flavors are a Hot Summer Trend

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 ...

A 'Special Occasion' Shrimp Wonton Soup

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 ...

Sweet Phyllo Dough Bundles

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 ...

Vegan Cooking: Flaky Biscuits

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 ...

Perfect Protein Pancakes

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 ...

Vegetable Tempura: A Fun Way to Eat Your Veggies

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 ...

What does a Southerner Cook in the Summer?

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 ...

How to Cook with Pancetta

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 ...

A Quick and Easy Chicken Terrine

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 ...

Five-Ingredient Asparagus Bisque

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 ...

Get Saucy with our New Sauce Guide

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 ...

Brunch Eats: Blueberry Zucchini Bread

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 ...

‘Tis the Season: Cooking in Sync with the Weather

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: ...

Experimenting with Pulses

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 ...

The Kefir Cookbook's Story

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 ...

A Different Take on Bruschetta for Mushroom Lovers

Last week at our Happy Hour at Lincoln Square, we featured this fabulous snack to go along with our featured wines, and it was delicious!

Competition Mac and Cheese

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. ...

Chipotle Delicata Soup

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 ...

PB & J Protein Smoothie Bowls

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 ...

Beef and Spring Vegetable Lo Mein

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 ...

Food Comics: Deviled Eggs

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 ...

One "Stewpendous” Stew and Two “Souperstar” Soups

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 ...

Don't Toss those Carrot Tops

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 ...

Winter Squash Biscuits

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 ...

Oh "Mahi" is this Fish Good

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 ...

Insta-Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

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 ...

I’m Getting Hungary

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. ...

Irish Soda Bread

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 ...

Fight for your right to Pâté

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 ...

Make it to Spring with Sweet Potato Curry

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 ...

Spice Up Your Meal Prep With Chili

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 ...

Weeknight Surf and Turf

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 ...

For the Love of Crêpes

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 ...

Food Comics: Toad in a Hole

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 ...

Baking Bread in a Le Creuset Dutch Oven

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 ...

Peanut Butter Stuffed Banana Bread French Toast

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 ...

The Best Shrimp and Grits

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 ...

Paczki Day: A Delicious Fat Tuesday Tradition

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, ...

Sticky Pecan Cinnamon Rolls

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 ...

Keep It Keto with Cauliflower Pizza

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 ...

The Spice of Life

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. ...

Combat the Cold with Cowgirl Chili

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 ...

Try Bitter Greens Salad during this Bitter Cold

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 ...

A Chinese New Year Valentine

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 ...

Sensible Snacks

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 ...

My Favorite Crock Pot Recipe: Pozole Verde

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.

Thai Shrimp Noodle Soup

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 ...

Food Comics: Coq au Vin

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 ...

Found in Translation

It’s interesting how family stories change in telling (and sometimes meaning) over time.

Gluten-Free Homemade Dog Treats

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 ...

How to Throw a Kids' Pizza Party

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 ...

Go Dutch Baby

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 ...

Homemade Ice Cream… in a Vitamix?

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 ...

Calorie Conscious Casseroles

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 ...

Buddha Bowl: The Ideal Vegan One Bowl Dish

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 ...

Homemade Cranberry Pepper Jelly for the Holidays

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 ...

Tea Time: An Intermission for the Holiday Season

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 ...

Foraging and Cooking Puffball Mushrooms

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 ...

Emergency Holiday Dessert

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 ...

My Valencian Lemon Curd

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 ...

Please Pass the Turkey Gravy

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 ...

Bourbon Spiked Sweet Potato Pie

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 ...

Let's Break Bread

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 ...

Holiday Peach Pie

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 ...

Beer Can Butternut Squash

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 ...

Pumpkin Truffles: A Festive Vegan Fall Confection

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 ...

Finally Letting Go of Summer to Welcome Fall Food

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 ...

Creamy Sausage and Potato Soup

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 ...

French Bistro Savory Tart

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 ...

The Joys of Jewish Preserving

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 ...

Casual Cassoulet

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 ...

Food Comics: Hot and Spicy Tomato 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 how to make the perfect accompaniment ...

Butternut Squash Bolognese

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 ...

Butternut Squash: The New Pumpkin

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 ...

Pumpkins and Cranberries: The Perfect Pair

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 ...

Best Tomato Soup Ever

We're nearing the very end of tomato season, so I want to celebrate them with one of my all time favorite go-to recipes.

A Kebab, a Calzone and a Pita Walk into a Bar

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 ...

Autumn Apples

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 ...

Cool Weather is Baking Time

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 ...

Food Comics: French Onion 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 how to make his favorite soup, Alton ...

Apple Fritter Muffins for Apple Season

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 for Busy People

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 ...

Pork Involtini: Italian Grilling at its Finest

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 ...

Summer's Best Sweet Corn Risotto

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 ...

Mexican Chocoflan: the Impossible Chocolate Cake

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 ...

Homemade Bao for a Dim Sum Win

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 ...

Vegan Gnocchi: Potato Pillows of Goodness

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 ...

Going Green with Fried Green Tomatoes

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 ...

Cast Iron Pancake Makes Brunch a Breeze

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!

The Whipped Cream of Your Dreams

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 ...

Perfect Oatmeal

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 ...

Passport to Italy

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 ...

It's Grilled Zucchini Season

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 ...

A Recipe to Convert Brussels Sprouts Haters

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 ...

Food Comics: Rainbow Salad

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 ...

Two Chefs are Better than One

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 ...

The Best Low Calorie Granola

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 ...

Focaccia: Bread Baking with the Seasons

Why wait until the cooler months when you can enjoy freshly baked, seasonal bread to accompany your summer soirées? You should bake bread this summer!

Summertime is Pizza on the Grill with Beer Time

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 ...

How to Beat Breakfast Boredom

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 ...

Find a Friend in Farro

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 ...

Everything Bagel Quiche

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 ...

Butternut Squash in Ice Cream?

I'm gonna take a wild guess and say that when you saw the title of this blog post, you said to yourself, “hmmm, interesting,” or “wait, WHAT?”

The Easiest Summer Appetizer: Parmesan Crisps

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 ...

What is Your Food Delight?

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 Party

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?

Strawberry Rhubarb Upside Down Cake

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 ...

Recipes + Grocery Lists + iOS App = MyRedBag

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!

Master Your Macros

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 ...

French Crullers and the Art of Easy Deliciousness

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 ...

Come Visit Us for a “Pizza” The Action

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 ...

Praise Seitan! A “Meaty” Vegan Staple Must

“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 ...

Taco Tuesdays with Homemade Flour Tortillas

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 ...

Easy Summertime Coal-Fired Pizza

Summertime means grilled foods, sunshine, beaches, and pizza? Yes, pizza on a grill is something you may not think of doing, but you should!

20 Years of Recipes for You

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 ...

Eat a Pita: How to Make Homemade Pita Bread

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 ...

Use Quinoa to Make Gluten-Free Gourmet Pizza

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.

Ground Turkey, The New Ground Beef

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 ...

Cookies for Breakfast

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 ...

Reminiscing over Mom’s Custard Pie

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 ...

My Favorite Thing to Cook: Stuffed Chops

One of the most common questions I get from students when teaching cooking classes at The Chopping Block is: "What's your favorite thing to cook?"

Challenge Yourself to Utilize Your Fridge This Week

As a meal planner, after I get home from the grocery store every Saturday, my fridge is pretty spotless – ready to tackle the week!

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 ...

Weekend Woes: Avoiding the Brunch Barrage

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 ...

In Honor of National Chip and Dip Day

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 ...

Springing into Spring

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 ...

Food Comics: Roasted Red Pepper Corn Chowder

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, ...

Easy and Elegant Sesame Seared Tuna

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 ...

Ugly Avocados? Make Chocolate Mousse

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. ...

The Best Soup, Pho-Real

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).

Say “¡Sí!” to Chips and Salsa for Breakfast

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 ...

Beignets: The Ultimate Donut

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 ...

Food Comics: Bibimbap

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 ...

Best French Toast Ever

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 ...

Sopa Azteca: The Ultimate "Company Soup"

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 ...

Cioppino: The Perfect Seafood Lovers Stew

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 ...

Ooey Gooey Chocolate Lava Cakes

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.

A Cheesy Valentine Meal That Can't Be "Beet"

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 ...

Homemade Doggy Treats for Your #1 Valentine

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 ...

Cast Iron Conundrum: Le Creuset or Lodge?

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 ...

Acid and Fat: The Yin and Yang of Cooking

Understanding how acids and fats affect the flavor and texture of our food can be an ace card in your cooking game.

The Power of Polenta

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 ...

Starbucks' Copycat Muesli Bread

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 ...

A Healthy Smoothie to Start Off the New Year

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 ...

Sophisticated French Food Made Easy

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… ...

A Cure for your Winter Blues: Snacks and a Movie

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 ...

A Spectacular Holiday Dessert: Buche de Noel

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 ...

Chocolate De Abuelita

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 ...

Cooking with "Nothing" in the Fridge

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 ...

Basil: An Herb for All Seasons

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 ...

Miracle Cure For Bland Food

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 ...

Homemade Snickers Bars

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 ...

‘Tis The Dip Season

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 ...

Five Tips for Better Chili

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 ...

Short Ribs are Not Short on Flavor

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!

Forget Plain Sugar, Sweeten with Simple Syrup

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 ...

Soup, The Ultimate Comfort Food

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 ...

From Baking Pan to Bowl: Lasagna Soup

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 ...

Taste of Thanksgiving

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 ...

Homemade Pickles for your Thanksgiving Table

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 ...

Homemade Ravioli: Squash-Filled Bundles of Love

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 ...

The Gift of Good Fortune... Cookies

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 ...

Food Comics: French Meat Pie

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 ...

Pumpkin Stuffed with Everything Good

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 ...

Bread Baking 101: Skillet Bread

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 ...

Vegan Vanilla Rum French Toast

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 ...

A Flavor Boost When You're in a Pickle

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 ...

Bacon Inside a Burger is Better

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 ...