The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Make the Most of Fall's Favorite Fruit: Apples

The sounds of pie making in our Lincoln Square kitchens last week brought back memories of Apple Fest in years past. In 2019, our culinary team made and sold 800 (!) of our famous Apple Pies, the ...

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Banana Pupcakes

Like a lot of you, I baked more often than usual these past few months during the pandemic. I made my share of quick breads, cakes, and cookies. There were at least three baked goods in our home at ...

Easiest Answer to Side Dish Emergency

People who like to cook always have a kitchen stocked with the basics and can confidently embark on a recipe knowing there is a supply of things like onions, garlic, flour, butter, cinnamon, all of ...

Naan Pizza

My wife and I like to play games like “Would You Rather”, the Question game, or Categories - all games you would typically play in the car on a long road trip. We often play these games in social ...

Bacon Cheeseburger Eggrolls

Friday, September 18 was National Cheeseburger Day, and I’ve been thinking about cheeseburgers ever since. I absolutely love cheeseburgers – they’re simple to make and so versatile, with an endless ...

Have Leftover Rice? Try Making Croquettes

You’ve just spent all day working, made it through several meetings via Zoom, made sure your kids logged onto their virtual classes at the right time, helped support them through e-learning and ...

Stuffed Cabbage Soup

It’s officially Fall, y’all! I am welcoming Fall with open arms – and soup. I absolutely love soups and stews. We enjoy many different soups all throughout these cooler seasons. Our favorites are ...

Old Italian's Braciole

For many years, I cooked numerous dinners for a dear friend I fondly called The Old Italian. His cooking prowess was limited to pour-over coffee - lots and lots of coffee all day long – and to the ...

Dumpling Debate

What is the first thing that you think of when you hear the term “dumpling?” Over the course of thousands of years there have been many talks as to what constitutes a food item to be considered a ...

Tomato Season at the Farmers Market

Fall has officially arrived, and the farmers markets are in full swing. If you live in our Lincoln Square neighborhood, please check out the Farmers Market held on Tuesday mornings and Thursday ...