The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

A Zestier Take on Cranberry Sauce

When you make a meal for others, do you ever find that they will try something you had no idea they don’t care for, only to have them announce that they really like the way you’ve prepared it? And ...

Pumpkin Date Nut Bread

Pumpkin season is in full swing for me. While I’ll admit that I like to indulge in the occasional pumpkin spice latte, I generally find that pumpkin is underappreciated and underutilized.

Easy and Appetizing Starters for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and this year my family has chosen me to be the host, so I’m planning early. In years past, I haven’t bothered with making an appetizer, but that leads to ...

Beyond Bordeaux: Saint-Émilion

A couple of years ago I wrote a general introduction to Bordeaux, it isn't the most interesting blog I've written for The Chopping Block, but it is one I remember the most. Bordeaux wines excite ...

Crossroads Diner at Virtue Restaurant: Humble Southern Heritage Fare in Chicago's Hyde Park

Crossroads Diner: At the Intersection of Hospitality & Community has finally made its way home to Chicago! The dining scene has more than plenty to satisfy my wanderlust cravings. There is no ...

10 Tips for Making Sauces: Part 1

Leave it to the French to assert that there are really only five sauces, the Mother Sauces. The idea is that the five Mother Sauces are base sauces, and by adding additional flavorings or modifying ...

This isn't your Childhood Salisbury Steak

A lot of foods evoke a certain level of nostalgia in me. Dishes that you had as a kid that maybe your mom or your grandmother made can transport you back to that time and place with just a simple ...

How to Make Marshmallows from Scratch

If you love marshmallows as much as my family does, then you'll definitely want to try this recipe. I have always wanted to try making homemade marshmallows, but have shied away because it seemed ...

The Best Gravy You’ve Ever Made

Turkey may be America’s most tolerated meat. Where people relish a thick juicy steak, savor a sweet rich pork chop, and crave the comfort of roast chicken, eating turkey is regarded with the ...

How to Tie a Stuffed Roast

The time of year for cooking large cuts of meat is upon us. We are not worried about warming up the house too much and as our schedules begin to fill up more having those leftovers comes in handy! ...