The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Grilled Eggplant Three Ways

I find that eggplant generally gets a bad rap. I’m not sure if people are averse to its texture or flavor, or they are just not familiar with how to prepare it, but I absolutely love eggplant, so I’m ...

Summertime Barbeque Smoke Out

If you are like me, you would agree that summertime is the best time for cooking. With the gorgeous weather, cooking and eating outdoors just can’t be beat. All of the bountiful produce from the ...

Pepper Season is On and Popping

I’m a self-proclaimed hot pepper fiend. I love the addition of heat into both savory and sweet dishes. I’m the girl that carries hot sauce in her purse (just like Beyonce), just in case the need ...

Desserts on the Grill: Have you Tried Grilling Fruit?

As you probably already know if you receive our handy newsletter, we are now offering in-person classes at our Lincoln Square location as well as cooking boot camps, with subjects ranging from ...

Meal Prep the Buffet Way

One of the questions I get asked the most in the classes I teach is: “Do you cook every day at home?” I feel like there is a common misconception that all professional chefs cook gourmet meals every ...

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 ...

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. ...

Hard Cider Can Chicken with Spicy Pickled Peaches

I spend a lot of time on my deck, especially these days, and it was truly my saving grace during quarantine! I often work from my deck, but on weekends, I love to spend the afternoon relaxing out ...

Hot Dog Party

Most people might think a chef would turn her nose up to hot dogs, but not this one! Hot dogs might seem like a low brow food to some, but I beg to differ. A hot dog is a Frankfurter, and a ...

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, ...