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Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

There’s something in the air here in Chicago right now. And no, I’m not talking about seasonal allergies. Or the Midwestern impulse to make plans for every weekend of the summer. I’m talking about ...

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Spice up Your Granola with Garam Masala

Garam masala is a magical spice blend because it can be used in sweet and savory recipes. The name literally translates to “warming spices” because it contains a blend of spices that, when combined, ...

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'Tis the Unseason: Flavor Without Salt

When it comes to food and cooking, we all face various conundrums. There are allergies, intolerances and avoidance of ingredients. Personally, having lived with Crohn’s disease since I was a child, I ...

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The Power of Fresh Powder

I talk a lot to students about the importance of using fresh spices. So many people have little plastic jars of ground spices in their pantries that could be half a decade old or older. At that age, ...

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How to Make your Own Ground Ginger

If you have read any of my past blogs you may know I am from a little town in Iowa, Fort Dodge to be exact. Growing up in a rural area, in a small Midwestern town in the 70’s, I had little exposure ...

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The Essential Pantry

Being a chef instructor at The Chopping Block is by far the best job I have ever had. I love food, I adore cooking, and I am passionate about teaching. Given those facts, every time I come to work I ...

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Sumac Foraging and Preparation

First things first... no, we are not talking poison sumac! Secondly, it is extremely easy to tell the difference between poison sumac and Staghorn Sumac, Staghorn Sumac being the edible version. We ...

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Whole vs Ground: A Spice Guide

Open up your spice cabinet right now and take a good long look. How old are your dried herbs and spices? Have some followed you from one apartment to the next? Unless your jar of oregano has ...

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The Spice of Life

As an advisory board member of the World Food Travel Association, I’m fortunate to travel to many countries around the world to work with local chefs and explore different culinary cultures. Whether ...

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Making Extracts: The Essentials

Extract (noun): a preparation containing the active ingredient of a substance in a concentrated form.

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Most Recent Posts

Sweet Summer Traditions and Berry Good Blintzes

  My mom, daughter, and I recently enjoyed our annual summer girl’s trip, and it’s one of my...Read more

Will it Risotto?

  I am sure at some point in your life you have tried risotto. It is a very common menu item...Read more

Devouring Palermo: A Sicilian Food Adventure

  My family and I just returned from an epic Italian adventure where we ate our hearts out! We...Read more

Putting Your Knife Skills to the Test This Summer

  Summer is here, in all of its humid glory. The stands at the farmers’ markets are teeming...Read more

Weeknight Wonder: Spicy Coconut Chicken

  When it comes to bold, comforting, and crave-worthy meals, Indian-inspired flavors always...Read more

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