The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

A Taste of Home: Crafting Mexican Rice in Tradition

I grew up in a household with a mixture of Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Mexican cuisines. While these cuisines can have quite a few differences, there is one ingredient that ties them all together: ...

Falling for Flavor: Irresistible Appetizers to Spice Up Your Season

Fall brings with it a symphony of colors, and what better way to complement the season than with delicious fall appetizers that tantalize your taste buds? In this post, we'll dive into the heart of ...

3-Ingredient Homemade Hot Sauce

This summer has been a great growing season for our habanero and jalafuego plants, and they have produced quite a bit of fruit. Fortunately, hot chilies are extremely versatile, but if you’re a chili ...

Armadillo Eggs

I absolutely love when the Chicago weather cooperates, and I am able to cook outside. Grilling and smoking outdoors is something my husband and I are truly passionate about. If you are new to the ...

Pepper Season is On and Popping

I’m a self-proclaimed hot pepper fiend. I love the addition of heat into both savory and sweet dishes. I’m the girl that carries hot sauce in her purse (just like Beyonce), just in case the need ...

Every Day Can Be Fry-Day with an Air Fryer

I never really considered myself to be a cook obsessed with gadgets. Sure, I have had a CrockPot since I graduated from college, the Instant Pot has truly changed my life, and I use my Vitamix ...

Buttermilk Cornbread that Out Breads the Rest

This cornbread recipe is by far one of the best cornbread recipes that I have made. I had a Southern-themed dinner party the other night that was inspired by a 5-spiced rib recipe. Since corn is like ...

Spicy Corn, Bacon and Candied Jalapeno Dip

I raided the refrigerator at our Lincoln Square store last Sunday in the hopes of coming up with a creative and delicious tasting for all of our guests to enjoy as they shopped. I found a few ears of ...

Home Grown Gold

One of The Chopping Block’s all-time best-sellers is our Jalapeno Gold. This sweet and spicy treat is as versatile as it is addictive. Nearly every day, someone dashes into the store to scoop up a ...

Honey and Jalapeños

A few weeks ago during an event at The Chopping Block, I encouraged a group of guests to drizzle some of our jalapeño honey on their cheese tray. I could tell by the looks on their faces that this ...