The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Eating Well Can be a Treat for the Senses

Our Chef's Dinner last week with Chef Maria Clementi was full of flavorful vegetable dishes that reflect spring's bounty of produce. Her dinner was a great way of bridging the gap between healthy ...

A Key Ingredient for Weight Loss and Wellness

I’ve learned the secret to life-long health. It’s not a diet or a pill, and it’s actually found in many of the foods you may already know and love. If you’re like me and simply live for life’s ...

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 ...

Tofu 101: Taking the Blech out of the Bean Curd

A culinary staple originating from East & Southeast Asia, tofu has made its way to the Western world’s food scene over the past few decades. It is low in calorie, cholesterol-free, and high in ...

The Summer of CSA and Farmers Market Inspiration

While the weather may not be cooperating, Chicagoans are ready for summer! We are pushing through the cold and rain to attend baseball games, concerts, festivals and farmer’s markets. Considering the ...

Eating for Wound Healing

Almost three months ago, my cousin sustained a terrible injury to her leg – I’ll just say it involves a double break and massive interior leg burns. Pictures of her injury wouldn’t help with anyone’s ...

Worry What to Bring to a Potluck? Everyone’s a Winner at a Potluck

I love potlucks. There is nothing that fills my heart more than seeing a huge variety of dishes out for me to sample.

At Home in the Kitchen

This time of year always reminds me of my initial decision to move to Chicago. I had lofty expectations for food adventures in the big city - I would eat at the best restaurants, I would sip fabulous ...

I Got this Vegetable in my CSA, Now What Do I Do with It?

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of doing several cooking demonstrations at the Good Food Festival at the UIC Forum. It was an amazing day of great food, CSA farmers, cheese and meat producers and ...

The Return to College Cooking: Part 3

It’s been a few months since my last class at The Chopping Block, and if my memory serves me, it was Macaron Workshop with Chef Kim. Virginia is far, far away from Chicago, as I’m reminded whenever I ...

Hummus (in no) Time

Hummus is one of my favorite snacks. I love its versatility; not only does is go with chips, crackers, and veggies, it can also be made with almost any spices or ingredients I have on hand. Plus, ...

My Vegetarian Challenge

I love meat. There it is. Not to make it sound like we don’t enjoy eating vegetables alongside our meat-centric dinners (along with the occasionally entirely vegetarian meal), but my family is a ...

Halloween May be Over but Costumed Fun Continues

Apparently I’m having Halloween withdrawal. I keep walking into Goodwill, and finding really weird pants and vests, and thinking about all the possibilities it could lend. While I’m at work, I doodle ...