The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

Green Bombs of Kale, Spinach, Chard and Other Leafy Greens

Are you one of those people who sign up for a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) box eagerly in the winter and then, when deliveries start, you are dismayed by piles of kale, chard and spinach?

Corn and Potato Soup in Mushroom Broth

I love going to the farmers market, and as luck would have it, my office is right across the street from the Daley Center. Every Thursday I do my customary walk around the market to see what’s there, ...

5 Tips for Making the Most of Your Grocery Trips This Summer

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s that walk back from the grocery store when you went a teensy tiny bit overboard. You know exactly what I’m talking about: reusable grocery bags (go you for ...

To Market, To Market, We Go

It’s mid-summer in Chicago and the local farmer's markets are in full swing. Throughout the city – and in many suburban neighborhoods – you can find the freshest fruit, vegetables, bread, meat and ...

Take a Gamble on Shishito Peppers

Apparently I’m obsessed with Shishito peppers. I say “apparently” because the amount of times I order them while dining out seems perfectly normal to me, but my friends think it’s excessive. So what ...

Chicago's Farmers Market Season is Here

Farmers' market season is now open in Chicago, so here's a preview of some of my favorite local markets.

Fall For Your Local Farmers Market

I love to attend farmers' markets all over the Chicago area during this time of year. It's so lovely to walk around basking in the sight of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, artisanal and ...

Food Markets Near and Far

As an interest in local food and the farm-to-table movement grows, there has been a rise in farmer’s markets and food halls. But in some parts of the country (and the world, for that matter), these ...