The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Red Roux

When the cool air of Autumn arrives in Chicago, my wife often longs for her hometown of New Orleans. She misses the lively parades, the soulful jazz music, and most of all, the comforting food that ...

How to Use Harissa or How Can You Not Use Harissa?

I've had a hankering for harissa lately. The spicy and aromatic chile paste that is widely used in Middle Eastern and North African cooking adds a kick of spice to any meal, from soups and stews to ...

Carrot and Coconut Soup

The Midwest will just not let its grip off this cold weather, and while I enjoy soup 365 days a year, I also want something light and spring-like this time of year.

Pozole Pointers

Despite its relatively simple appearance, there are centuries of tradition and unique flavor combinations packed into a simple Mexican dish. From endless varieties of fresh and dried chilies like ...

Pho in Minutes Not Hours

What's the first dish that comes to mind when you think of Vietnamese food? It's likely Pho, the national dish of Vietnam, and which is sold everywhere there from nice restaurants to street corners. ...

Ditch your Dieting Rules

Happy 2023! Last year at this time, I declared “This is the year I am going to lose weight!” - which is exactly what I did every January 1st for the past several years.

Make your Own Cream of Mushroom Soup

With Thanksgiving around the corner, the sales of canned cream of mushroom soup are off the charts. In fact, 40% of the entire year's sales of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup are attributed to the ...

Cold Cherry Soup

When the final days of warm weather begin to alternate with autumn chill, it makes you appreciate that warmer weather, and celebrate it. I’ll do a casual survey, thinking of all of the summer ...

Classic Tomato Soup

The farmers markets will only be around for a few more weeks, so this is the time I stock up on vegetables and freeze them for later use.

Sopa de Guias con Chochoynes: Oaxaca Squash Vine Soup & Masa Dumplings

I love to garden. I love the physicality of it, I love the beauty of it, the pruning, tending and watering. I love eating fresh produce that I grew myself, and “seed to table cooking” is incredibly ...