The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

A Lesson in Food Safety

Let's talk about food safety. I’m sure many of you are already aware of how to keep food safe in the refrigerator. But, how do I know if my fridge is even cold enough? There are many models out ...

Grilled Greek Chicken with Grilled Watermelon and Halloumi Salad

A few years ago (which now seems like an eternity ago), my fiancé and I took an incredible trip to Greece. Aside from the gorgeous views, we, of course, ate some incredible food. While it sounds ...

Achiote Grilled Fish in Banana Leaves

The weather has been so stellar for cooking outdoors, and because we’re trying to spend as much time as possible relaxing and cooking outside these days, my family and I are trying to expand our ...

Tomato Tart with Cornmeal Crust

It seems like everyone has an opinion these days, and they will defend their viewpoint loudly and emphatically. But there may be one thing we can all agree on - there is nothing more welcome than ...

The Easiest Way to Grill Fish and Seafood

It’s summer, and I’ve been putting the grill to good use. In Chicago, we need to seize each day of our short grilling season! I want meals that are simple and fast, yet also healthy and delicious. ...

Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes

I have never worked from home before. With everything that is going on in the world, I am thankful that my day job allows me to work from home now. For one, my commute used to be three hours round ...

How to Cook a Steak Accurately

Cooking a steak is one of the most basic skills a cook can learn, and yet it is one that eludes even the best of cooks. Don’t feel bad if you haven’t mastered the art of steak cookery. How many ...

Is Plant-Based Meat Really Better For You?

Plant-based meat alternatives, or meat analogs, are not just for vegans and vegetarians anymore. As the interest in plant-based diets has grown in the last few years, so has the market for meat ...

Express your Artistic Flair with Garden Focaccia

If there's one good thing that's come from the global pandemic, it's a resurgence in the love of bread baking. I cannot count the number of posts I have seen from my friends trying their hand at ...

Smashed or Mashed: Two Easy Ways to Make Potatoes More Interesting

Listening to Raghavan Iyer talk recently about his new book covering all things potatoes (Smashed, Mashed, Boiled, and Baked - And Fried Too! Workman Publishing, New York, 2016) got me thinking ...