The Chopping Block Cooking Blog (2)

A Salad for Strawberry Season

Strawberry season leaves me swooning! I can’t help it. For me, it’s the sign that Summer has really, truly arrived… and with it, all the fresh and wonderful foods that the season brings. With this ...

How to Roll Pie Dough

If you want to earn your baking creds, learning how to roll pie dough is a must but don’t feel alone if you have had some failures! Doughs of any kind require more than just a good recipe; they ...

A Chocoholic's Guide to Cacao

I want to let you all in on a not-so-secret confession: I am a chocoholic! They say a day without chocolate is like day with no sunshine, but I wouldn’t know because I eat a bit of chocolate every ...

Apple Pie Empanadas: A Perfect Hand-Held Treat

Who doesn’t love empanadas? They are the perfect size hand-held treat, and can be sweet or savory depending on what mood you’re in. Savory empanadas can be filled with meat, seafood, cheese or ...

Shrub Cocktails All Summer Long

As life slowly returns to some semblance of what it was like in 'before times', I've been thinking back over the past year. Most of it was pretty awful thanks to the pandemic, but there were a few ...

A Cherry Cocktail to Delight the Senses

The last year (or so) has been unique in so many ways. Most of them are bad ways. Pretty much all of them. However, one of the good things was that many of us found ourselves with enough free time ...

How to Mix Up the Perfect Summer Cocktail

Folks, it’s happening. Summer in Chicago has arrived, the masks are finally coming off, and at long last, there’s a glimmer of hope on the horizon. This calls for a drink.

Don't Waste One Spring Ramp

The first sighting of a robin. The vivid green on the grass after it rains. A redbud tree bursting with blooms. All of these things help remind us that we are in a new season of the year and it makes ...

Buffalo Blue Cheese Burgers

I absolutely love burgers. I mean, what’s not to love? Earlier this year, I successfully waited in a line to get free Big Macs for a year, so if that doesn’t prove my love of burgers, what will?

Toast to Summer with our New Wines

Together with The Chopping Block's staff, I’ve recently sniffed, slurped and spit wares from Chicagoland’s finest wine purveyors to bring you our new wine list! As always, we focus on small ...