The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Get the Kids in the Kitchen for Mother's Day

Growing up, were you the kid who helped your mom in the kitchen or did you just show up to the table when it was time to eat? If I had to pick one, it was definitely showing up to eat. However, I ...

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 ...

Dinosaur Ribs

A few years ago, I was visiting my parents and they ordered from Mighty Quinn’s, a BBQ chain. My dad ordered a Brontosaurus rib. Of course, I was immediately interested, because as far as I knew, ...

Grilled Artichokes with Garlic Aioli

Being from a little town in Iowa, I had no exposure to whole fresh artichokes growing up. I had never seen one, never eaten one and certainly never cooked one. I had tasted jarred and canned ...

The Advantages of Charcoal Grilling: Part 1

If I had to choose one method of cooking to use for the rest of my life, I would choose cooking over an open fire without hesitation. A wood or charcoal fire is such an engaging cooking experience, ...

Kofta Kebabs with Homemade Tzatziki Sauce

Growing up in a typical Midwest family, we didn’t really venture into much ethnic cooking other than spaghetti and tacos. And I really wouldn’t call those two foods all that ethnic the way we ...

It's Grilled Zucchini Season

When we were in Italy last fall, I fell in love with these wonderful little rolled zucchini bites that Rosella, our Agriturismo host, whipped up. I remember asking her what kind of cheese was in ...

Where There is Smoke There is Fire

Summer and grilling just go together. How about this summer, you step up your grilling game and add some smoke to the mix? By lowering the temperature of the grill and adding some wood chunks to any ...

Summertime is Pizza on the Grill with Beer Time

My wife informed me that we would be having company for dinner last Sunday and that our guests would expect me to cook something delicious. I agree that's a fair expectation, but the situation put ...

Spice Up Your Summer with Wine

Thanks to The Chopping Block's guests and team members for welcoming me as one of your new Sommeliers! Folks ask me all the time, “What does a Sommelier do: sit around and taste delicious wine all ...