The Chopping Block Cooking Blog | italian home cooking

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 ...

Time to Turn to Comfort Food Like Lasagna

It seems that everything eventually comes full circle. All of the things I enjoyed as I child have gained popularity in the last five years or so. All of the toys I was so fond of when I was a kid ...

Passport to Italy

Italy is one of those places you can’t help but love. You’re guaranteed a good meal nearly anywhere, anytime, in every region. My love of Italy started on a trip during middle school, so I knew when ...

This Italian Family's Manicotti Recipe is No Longer a Secret

Some say “Home is where the heart is.” For me, home is where the food is. There is nothing better than the smell and warmth of a homemade pot of Marinara Sauce on the stove and a bunch of cheese ...

Simply Delicious: Maiale al Latte (Milk-Braised Pork)

The classic Italian dish of Maiale al latte (milk-braised pork) is one of my favorite examples of the rustic simplicity of Italian cuisine. The origins of Maiale al latte are hotly debated with ...

January Soup Sessions and Cookware Sale

January is a time for fresh starts, for making resolutions, and for returning to calm after the holiday buzz. For me, it is also a time to eat healthier cuisine, lay off lavish meals, and refresh my ...

A Picture is Worth 1000 Recipes

I'll admit it. I like pictures in cookbooks.... really big, colorful, detailed pictures of food. Photographs of really good food inspire me, but also serve as a helpful guide for plating and ...