Prior to working at The Chopping Block, I was a teacher. School started early; my days started even earlier. I arrived well in advance of the first bell to prepare and get set for the day. This ...
Last month, I wrote about my love for homemade Parmesan stock. While it is absolutely the “secret weapon for soup season” as I claimed, I want to demonstrate a different use for the stock which is ...
7 Stress-Relieving Snack Foods to Keep You Calm Over the Holidays
The holidays are a season filled with joy, but they can also bring a good dose of stress. From last-minute gift shopping to hosting holiday dinners, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if ...
A Step-by-Step Guide with Video to Opening Champagne and Sparkling Wine
“Here’s to Champagne, the drink divine, that helps us forget all our troubles. It’s made from a dollar’s-worth of wine and three-dollars’-worth of bubbles.” (Anonymous)
If you’ve been to one of my classes or read my previous blogs, you probably know that South American cuisine is one of my favorite topics. There’s something about the bold, fresh flavors and ...
Many regions have their own variations of rice porridge, but "gruel" or the boiling of starchy foods dates back to prehistoric times where it was an early application of harnessing fire and cooking. ...
I love making signature cocktails for special occasions and this cocktail is definitely one of my favorites. It has flavors of rosemary, ginger, cinnamon, and cranberry, complemented with a splash of ...
As a chef, I've always believed appetizers are the unsung heroes of dining. These small but mighty plates set the stage for any meal, offering a chance to impress, indulge, and experiment, all before ...
My mother is what I’ll conservatively refer to as a Christmas enthusiast. Her dedication to the season is both authentic and egoless. She doesn’t need ostentatious displays of decorations in order to ...
A couple of years ago, I professed my love of bagels in my blog Everything Bagel Strata. It’s a delicious way to enjoy the classic savory flavors of everything bagels, smoked salmon, cream cheese and ...
