The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

How to Make and Use Preserved Lemons

My first exposure to preserved lemons was when I worked at Café du Midi some 25 years ago. Café du Midi was a very special place to work, not just because of its amazing Mediterranean-influenced ...

Citrus is my Main Squeeze

Most of us are fortunate to be able to enjoy all types of citrus all year long. You may not know this, but citrus season is actually during winter. Citrus is the perfect little pick me up to get ...

Lemon Liquidation: How to Make Lemon Vodka

Although the holidays are over, I have a fun gifting concept that could be used anytime for special occasions. I have been growing a dwarf Meyer lemon tree for a few years now. This fall, my first ...

Transform Lemon Curd to Elegant Mousse

Whenever we have a dinner party, I'm typically in charge of preparing the dessert. Sometimes when I'm feeling really ambitious, I'll make a pie or cake, but time wasn't on my side recently so I ...

An Easy First Ferment: Preserved Lemons

Back before refrigerators were commonplace in homes, preservation was important if you wanted to eat come winter. That's why every culture has recipes and methods of pickling or fermentation.

Smokin' Apples for Smoked Bourbon Apple Butter

Sweeeet. It’s the Fall again. Frankly speaking, I get more excited about this time of year than a two-year-old venturing into FAO Shwarz for the very first time. Let’s be honest. What’s not to love ...

Two Heads are Better Than Four?

Sometimes things happen that are beyond our control. I know we’ve all encountered the unimaginable and quickly learned that having focus and patience can help overcome challenging situations. In ...