The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

A Go-To Summer Salad: Mexican Grilled Corn and Tomato Salad

My family and I love Mexican food, and it’s something we enjoy at least twice a week. Because it’s our go-to cuisine when cooking at home, and because there are so many different ways to express ...

Grilled Pineapple with Bourbon-Butter Sauce

Grilling season is in full swing at The Chopping Block, and one of my favorite grilling classes is New Orleans Brunch on the Grill. We make Cajun grilled shrimp skewers with remoulade, BBQ baked ...

How to Grill Baby Octopus

We officially kicked off grilling season last Wednesday with a hands-on grilling class on Cinco de Mayo. On Saturday, we had our first demonstration class on the Lincoln Square patio with one of ...

Grilled Red Cabbage with Magic Green Sauce

It’s grilling season, and I am ready for it! I love entertaining, but sometimes I prepare so many appetizers for fear that my guests will be too hungry while I am grilling that by the time I ...

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 ...