It has become something of a tradition for me to make birthday cakes for our two favorite little girls. We’ve known them since they were born & Auntie Karen loves to bake – it’s a match made in ...
I know what you’re thinking. New year, new me, new diet…. What fad diet shall I choose to follow this year? While we understand the appeal of fad diets, nutrition experts are typically not huge fans ...
I used to be afraid of using yeast in recipes. I think it was because I had one failed attempt, and I thought to myself “Well, I am just not meant to be a baker!”
It's no secret that I love a useful kitchen gadget. I heartily embraced the Instant Pot when it came out and still use it regularly for any dish with dried beans, to make yogurt, pulled pork, hard ...
I love using fresh herbs, but often find myself with leftovers I cannot use up before they go bad. A lot of stores are now selling them in plastic packages that come in one size only. Need one ...
Crossroads Diner at Smyth: “Come As You Are” Dining in West Loop
To start off this edition of Crossroads Diner: At the Intersection of Hospitality & Community, I wholly and unabashedly admit to huge bias towards the restaurant featured in the ensuing piece. I ...
There is nothing better than a chocolate chip cookie, and everyone always thinks they make the best one. At The Chopping Block, we had so many employees sure that they made the best chocolate chip ...
One of the things I love most about the holidays is the memories that flood my mind from my childhood. My mother and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen making sugar cookies. I think my mom chose ...
During the past year at The Chopping Block, I have taught a lot of cooking classes. One thing that I can always count on is students asking questions, which I love. And if I don’t know the answer, we ...
In this series, we are exploring the classic French Sauces known as the “Mother Sauces:” Velouté, Bechamel, Espagnole, Hollandaise and Tomato. These base sauces are truly the fundamental sauces in ...
