Hi There!
I’m Cassandra Morris
Welcome to Cooking With Cassandra. Iโm 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!
You can also find me every Sunday in the Winnipeg Sun, in print and online as the Food & Wine Columnist, where I share delicious seasonal recipes, expert wine pairings, and essential kitchen tips!
Where It All Started
Letโs take it back 10 years… Some of you may remember me from my time on Big Brother Canada.ย Back then, my culinary skillsโor lack thereofโmade me stand out. I was dubbed the โPersian Princess,โ and my signature dish was slop and microwaved leftovers.
Fast forward to today, and Iโm proud to say the kitchen is no longer a danger zone when Iโm around. Iโve graduated from burnt toast and microwave mishaps to finding true joy in cooking.
Does This Sound Familiar…
Youโve spent hours on a recipe that was supposed to be โquick and easy,โ only to find itโs a total flop. It promised to be ready in 20 minutes, but youโre now an hour in with no end in sight. Iโve 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 didnโt turn out as promised. Whether it was misleading cook times or recipes that simply didnโt work or taste good, Iโve experienced the frustration of recipes that donโt deliver. Thatโs why Iโm 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 includedโand you can trust it will always be delicious!
What You Will Find Here
So, if youโre sitting there thinking, “Thereโs no way I can cook these recipes…” or “Who am I kidding, Iโm not a good cook!”โ Just remember, Iโve 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.ย I use simple, easily accessible ingredientsโno hoity-toity here! I am all about balance so you will find everything from the super healthy to the super indulgent! Whether youโre looking for quick 30-minute dinners or weekend pastas and stew worth the extra time, Iโm 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, youย wonโt have to spend any more time wondering, โWhatโs for dinner?โ I have you covered! Letโs get cooking and make every meal a success!
So, what are you craving today?
Cassandra’s Favorite Recipes
Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe
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 todayโs recipe. In January, when itโs 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 seโฆ thereโs a wait time of 3 hours before you can dig in. But you know what I mean: itโs a lifesaver in our cold...
Easy Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe
Thereโs nothing better than curling up with a comforting bowl of this one-pot turmeric ginger chicken noodle soup, which delivers on both flavor and nourishment. The power combo of ginger and turmeric is natureโs way of soothing colds and upset tummies, making this the perfect go-to when you're feeling under the weather. Packed with chicken, veggies, and egg noodles, every bite is hearty and satisfyingโno more empty spoonfuls of just broth! Iโm going to be repeating this recipe, along with my old-fashioned beef stew, all winter long. These are two meals I love to make in big batches,...
Easy Bruschetta Recipe
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 arenโt going to debate on whether tomatoes are fruits or vegetables!) is perfect for one of my favorite appetizers: bruschetta. Bruschetta โ a traditional Italian antipasto โ 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...
ย Baked Sesame Ginger Salmon
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. Youโll...
Earls Santa Fe Chicken Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)
For the Canadians frequenting this site, you are no doubt familiar with Earlโs 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 testersโthe girls I went and had this with for so many yearsโcouldn'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
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (better than P.F. Changโs!) โ a quick, easy, and healthy dinner ready in under an hour! As a big fan of Asian food, P.F. Changโs 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 youโthey're tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor! I know itโs a bold statementโhomemade Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps that outshine the beloved P.F. Changโs version?! But trust me, itโs 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
These spinach feta turkey burgers will transport you straight to Greece! Theyโre 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
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 itโs what makes this recipe so special. Thereโs just something about the combination of juicy strawberries and zesty lemons that truly screams sunshine. If youโre a fan of desserts that are soft and moist, this easy dessert is...
Easy Caesar Salad Dressing
Caesar salads are one of those classic side dishes on the menu thatโs hard to go wrong with. Itโs 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)
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!...
5 Minute Easy Blender Salsa (Restaurant Style)
This no-frills, 5-minute salsa recipe requires NO cooking! Salsa is a staple in many households, and for good reasonโit'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.ย Unlike Pico De Gallo which is thick and includes chunks of fresh ingredients, salsa is more liquidy to coat every chip!ย Recipe Ingredients Each ingredient contributes to the bold and zesty taste of this quick and easy salsa. Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes โย Fire-roasted tomatoes add depth...