The Chopping Block Cooking Blog

Keeping it Simple: Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting

I was recently invited to a lavish potluck. The host requested that guests bring our best decadent dish along with a card describing the dish. As I read the invitation, my mind started working. ...

Meet our New Pro-Carb Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

Everyone seems to be anti-carb these days so most people wouldn't think a dietitian would be one to embrace bread in a diet, but our new Registered Dietitian Nutritionist claims to be "super ...

My Bagel Experience

I woke up bright and early on a recent Monday morning inspired by our popular artisanal bread making class and ready to make homemade bagels. I also remembered when my sister came to visit me when I ...

Pork Chili Verde: Versatility Personified

If you’re anything like me, very few things satisfy like slow-braised meat dishes. I use my Le Creuset braiser, a piece of enameled cast iron cookware we carry at The Chopping Block, a lot. I ...

Tostones: A Delicious Caribbean Treat

As the curriculum coordinator of The Chopping Block, it's my job to create new and exciting menus for our class calendar that support our mission in Getting the Country to Cook. When I come up with ...

Spiced Oven Baked Ribs

I love having dinner parties for my friends. It allows me to incorporate quality time with friends and my love for trying new recipes. Each dinner party I choose one recipe that I know is a show ...

Buttermilk Cornbread that Out Breads the Rest

This cornbread recipe is by far one of the best cornbread recipes that I have made. I had a Southern-themed dinner party the other night that was inspired by a 5-spiced rib recipe. Since corn is ...

The Art of the Vinaigrette

I remember the first time a house-made salad dressing rocked my world. It was the summer of 1988, and I was bussing tables at a swanky new bistro in town. I was 17, and just beginning what would ...

Trust Us, You will Devour this Monster Cookie

Oatmeal M&M + chocolate chip + double chocolate chip cookie = a confectionary everyone becomes excited about. Three recipes, one cookie means there is something for everyone. The doughs are all ...

Spicy Corn, Bacon and Candied Jalapeno Dip

I raided the refrigerator at our Lincoln Square store last Sunday in the hopes of coming up with a creative and delicious tasting for all of our guests to enjoy as they shopped. I found a few ears of ...