One of the great things about moving apartments is exploring new surroundings. While I have lived in Lakeview for most of my time in Chicago, I seem to pass at least one place every week I haven’t ...
What's not to love about a pan sauce? It looks (and tastes) fancy but takes virtually no effort, can be made with pantry staples (especially if wine is considered a pantry staple), and is made in the ...
Avoiding Cleaning Your Oven? Follow These Steps for an Easy Clean
It seems like our ovens are always on at The Chopping Block. From baked granola and frittatas in the morning to roasted vegetables and meats at night, we’ve always got something in the oven. And of ...
I used to hate grocery shopping. I would go into the store thinking it would be a 15 minute trip and it would turn into 40 minutes. I would go in for two things but leave with a cart full, and ...
Something Missing in your Dish? Add a Dash of Tabasco Sauce
I grew up with Tabasco sauce on the table, right next to the salt and pepper. Sometimes the salt even has Tabasco in it. Avery Island in South Lousiana, where Tabasco began, is just a few miles away ...
It's BBQ season, and I love BBQ. Last year, my husband configured our modest kettle girl into an offset smoker that successfully smoked ribs, pork shoulders, turkeys and even a 14-hour passion ...
There are lots of great store-bought granolas, but one of my favorite simple pleasures in life is warm granola. Fresh from the oven and filling the room with a smell I can only describe as “warm ...
It’s been almost a month since I’ve embarked upon a great adventure in the study of wines. It began with a complimentary wine class for The Chopping Block staff called “What’s In A Sip?”, and now I’m ...
Who doesn’t love making cookies? With two young boys at home, I find myself making them pretty often. They like to help out and appreciate eating the cookies even more when they are a part of the ...
