Cassandra Morris

Hi There!

I’m Cassandra Morris

Welcome to Cooking With Cassandra. I’m so happy you are here! I’m here to spill the beans (and maybe some wine) on foolproof recipes and kitchen tips. Join me in my cozy little corner of the Internet, where we keep it simple and delicious. Let’s get cooking!

Where It All Started

Let’s take it back 10 years… Some of you may remember me from my time on Big Brother Canada. Back then, my culinary skills—or lack thereof—made me stand out. I was dubbed the “Persian Princess,” and my signature dish was slop and microwaved leftovers.

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say the kitchen is no longer a danger zone when I’m around. I’ve graduated from burnt toast and microwave mishaps to finding true joy in cooking.

Cassandra Shahinfar - Big Brother Canada | cookingwithcassandra.com
Cassandra Morris
When I moved in with my now husband Walt, it became a necessity – “must eat to live.” He was no prize in the Kitchen either, there was a lot of take-out. Determined to change that, I dove into the world-wide web spending hours going through recipes, reading reviews, and making notes on each new recipe I was planning to make. My mission? To master the art of delicious home-cooked meals. To my surprise, I ended up loving it! Before long, I found myself taking charge of the kitchen on a daily basis and at every gathering with family and friends! I captured the process in photos, tested and retested until I perfected every dish, and documented our favorite recipes! That’s how Cooking With Cassandra came to life. My husband likes to say I have gone from “toast to turkeys”! All this to say… If I can cook, you can cook! I truly believe that together we can cook delicious and easy meals for every occasion.

Does This Sound Familiar…

You’ve spent hours on a recipe that was supposed to be ‘quick and easy,’ only to find it’s a total flop. It promised to be ready in 20 minutes, but you’re now an hour in with no end in sight. I’ve been there too. When I was learning to cook, I tried countless recipes from the top of my internet search or Pinterest, many of which didn’t turn out as promised. Whether it was misleading cook times or recipes that simply didn’t work or taste good, I’ve experienced the frustration of recipes that don’t deliver. That’s why I’m dedicated to providing you with recipes that are both delicious and accurate. When I say a recipe will take 30 minutes, you can trust that it will be ready in 30 minutes, prep time included—and you can trust it will always be delicious!

Cassandra Morris
Cassandra Morris

What You Will Find Here

So, if you’re sitting there thinking, “There’s no way I can cook these recipes…” or “Who am I kidding, I’m not a good cook!”— Just remember, I’ve been there, too. This is why all of my recipes come with clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step directions, along with helpful tips and tricks to make cooking delicious meals easy for everyone. Before I post a new recipe, you can be sure it has been thoroughly tested in my own kitchen.  I use simple, easily accessible ingredients—no hoity-toity here! I am all about balance so you will find everything from the super healthy to the super indulgent! Whether you’re looking for quick 30-minute dinners or weekend pastas and stew worth the extra time, I’m here to help. Count on finding plenty of entertaining and holiday meals, appetizers, breakfasts, desserts, one-pan dinners, and more. With over 100 Recipes on the blog and counting, you won’t have to spend any more time wondering, “What’s for dinner?” I have you covered! Let’s get cooking and make every meal a success!

Chain - White | cookingwithcassandra.com

So, what are you craving today?

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Cassandra’s Favorite Recipes

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Toasted Bread with Bruschetta Toppings | cookingwithcassandra.com

One of the reasons why I enjoy summer (besides barbecues and sunshine) is because of all the produce that is in-season. Melon and berries often get the spotlight as summer fruits, but think about all the fresh tomatoes! This fruit (we aren’t going to debate on whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables!) is perfect for one of my favorite appetizers: bruschetta.  Bruschetta — a traditional Italian antipasto — is essentially a tomato mixture on grilled bread slices and is great as an appetizer, snack, side dish or even on its own. They look fancy, but are so easy to make!  With...

 Baked Sesame Ginger Salmon

Sesame Ginger Salmon Baked | cookingwithcassandra.com

This baked sesame ginger salmon is my answer to a lunch meal-prep or a simple weeknight dinner alongside some brown rice and steamed vegetables. This Asian-inspired seafood dish is marinated in sesame oil, ginger, garlic, white wine vinegar, and brown sugar. We will also make a thick honey ginger glaze that tastes sweet, tangy, and a little spicy.  Sesame oil is a key ingredient in this salmon recipe. It is normally stocked in the international foods aisle in the supermarket. Just a little splash of it imparts a deep nutty flavor that makes this salmon pretty irresistible. You’ll...

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Noodle Soup Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

I don’t remember the last time I was able to say the words ‘chicken noodle soup’ without triggering a catchy song in the back of my mind. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go listen to the Korean Pop song, Chicken Noodle Soup by BTS and Becky G, which pretty much took over the world in 2019.  Real talk now, I’ve got a no-frills, easy chicken noodle soup recipe that will melt in your mouth. Every spoonful has tender cooked veggies, soft shredded chicken, and a heartwarming chicken broth. Oh, and noodles, of course, but more on that later. This one-pot chicken soup is healthy...

Earls Santa Fe Chicken Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)

salad with chicken in a salad bowl

For the Canadians frequenting this site, you are no doubt familiar with Earl’s restaurant. Earls changed their recipe for this and the salad, sorry Earls, just doesn't taste the same anymore. I went on a mission to recreate this recipe at home. After many attempts and ingredient variations, I finally crafted the perfect replica of Earls' famous Santa Fe Chicken Salad. The taste testers—the girls I went and had this with for so many years—couldn't believe it. Dare we say this version is even better than the original. I'm so excited to share it with you here! This salad is truly a must-try!...

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce | cookingwithcassandra.com

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (better than P.F. Chang’s!) – a quick, easy, and healthy dinner ready in under an hour! As a big fan of Asian food, P.F. Chang’s has always been one of my go-to spots, and their chicken lettuce wraps are a favorite. So, I set out to recreate them at home, and let me tell you—they're tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor! I know it’s a bold statement—homemade Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps that outshine the beloved P.F. Chang’s version?! But trust me, it’s true! These chicken lettuce wraps are so versatile - they work really well as starters or as part of a main...

Healthy Turkey Burgers With Spinach, Feta & Tzatziki

Spinach Feta Turkey Burger Patty | cookingwithcassandra.com

These spinach feta turkey burgers will transport you straight to Greece! They’re a classic family favorite at our house, with juicy patties and buttery burger buns. Slather the burgers generously with a refreshing, creamy tzatziki sauce made of yogurt, lemon, herbs and voila!  This recipe is a tribute to Greek cuisine which is rich with cheeses, meat, olive oil, herbs, yogurt and citrus flavors. Still, Greek recipes are quite balanced, providing the nutrients our bodies need!  These burgers are far from those at any fast food joints. I try to avoid highly processed foods when...

Strawberry Lemon Blondies

strawberry lemon blondie

One of the best things about spring and summer is the abundance of fresh, vibrant fruits, and one of my favorites to bake with is strawberries. My family loves to remind me that as a baby, they called me "Strawberry Lips" because I was so obsessed with strawberries that I would leave a red mess all over my lips. But that love for strawberries has never faded, and it’s what makes this recipe so special. There’s just something about the combination of juicy strawberries and zesty lemons that truly screams sunshine. If you’re a fan of desserts that are soft and moist, this easy dessert is...

Easy Caesar Salad Dressing

Paste Image| cookingwithcassandra.com

Caesar salads are one of those classic side dishes on the menu that’s hard to go wrong with. It’s got crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy croutons, and cheese. There are also added protein options, such as grilled chicken breasts, cajun shrimp, salami, and bacon.   The thing that makes a Caesar salad spectacular, I believe, is the dressing that ties it all together. It is rich with flavors from anchovies, garlic mayonnaise, cheese, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, all blended together.  I decided to take a stab at making homemade Caesar salad dressing, and can you believe it...

Warm Potato Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)

Earls Copycat Warm Potato Salad | cookingwithcassandra.com

This potato salad is the MOST delicious potato salad from Earls Kitchen + Bar, a Canadian casual dining restaurant. I managed to recreate a version of it here!  Every time I go with Walt or my girlfriends, I always make sure I get the Blackened Chicken, as the potato salad comes as a side with it.  I took the opportunity to go to Earls for a few dinners and extra wine nights with the girls so that I could do some very important research on recreating this potato salad recipe at home. Fun was had! Walt now only wants this version. The secret? The bacon grease. SO GOOD!...

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

Beef Stew Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

I LOVE a good stew. They are the ultimate comfort food (followed by a cheesy hash brown casserole). They fill up your belly with food and your heart with warmth. There are so many variations of stew that are downright delicious: Japanese curry, goulash, and old-fashioned beef stew, which is today’s recipe.  In January, when it’s freezing cold in Winnipeg, cooking up a batch of stew is an instant cure to get rid of the winter blues. Alright, maybe not an instant cure per se… there’s a wait time of 3 hours before you can dig in. But you know what I mean: it’s a lifesaver in our cold...

5 Minute Easy Blender Salsa (Restaurant Style)

salsa and chips

This no-frills, 5-minute salsa recipe requires NO cooking! Salsa is a staple in many households, and for good reason—it's quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can enjoy the vibrant flavors of homemade salsa whenever you crave it.  Unlike Pico De Gallo which is thick and includes chunks of fresh ingredients, salsa is more liquidy to coat every chip!  Recipe Ingredients Each ingredient contributes to the bold and zesty taste of this quick and easy salsa. Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes –  Fire-roasted tomatoes add depth...