Cassandra Shahinfar - Beauty | cookingwithcassandra.com

Blog

Welcome to the CWC Blog! I will be dishing out what has been cooked up in my kitchen & everyday life in hope to inspire you in yours. Here you will find tips & tricks every home cook needs to know on how to work smarter not harder in the Kitchen, meal prep ideas and so much more. Thank you for being here. Make yourself at home, pour yourself a glass of wine & dig in!

Holiday Hosting Tips

Walt and I love hosting! Whether it's out at the lake, for a special occasion, or just to connect with family and friends - we love to welcome people into our home. I haven't always been this way, it definitely came with some trial and error, and a few burnt dishes. If you were like me, and feel a little overwhelmed by all the things that go into hosting an amazing and memorable dinner party, I've got you covered! Most of these tips are specific to hosting around the Christmas holidays, but can be adapted for hosting any time. I hope these hosting hacks save you a little bit of stress and...

How To Measure Flour Correctly

Freshly baked bread | cookingwithcassandra.com

From your favorite muffin recipe to a delicious creamy pasta sauce- when it comes to using flour no matter the recipe, getting your measurements correct makes all the difference! Have you ever attempted a bread or pancake recipe promised to be moist and tender but ends up being dense and dry? You are not alone. Get the consistency of all your baked goods just right from now on with my tips on measuring flour correctly. First, let me address these common flour faux-pas: Directly Scooping: We've all scooped flour directly out of the bag or jar with the measuring cup. This literally packs...

55 Kitchen Secrets Guaranteed To Change The Way You Cook

Fresh strawberries on a plate | cookingwithcassandra.com

You don't need to be a Masterchef to cook healthy and delicious meals. It's amazing what you can do with a bit of know-how- so I've collected some of the most straightforward hacks to simplify and speed up your time in the kitchen. From storage solutions to ways to peel your veggies with ease - some of these tips are truly mind-blowing.  Keep this list of tips close to hand and they'll transform your kitchen habits for life. 1. Keep your eggs fresh: If you're not sure what state your eggs are in, pop one in a cup of water. You're good to go if it sinks straight to the bottom; if it...

At Home Valentines Date Night Ideas

chocolate covered strawberries with chocolate | cookingwithcassandra.com

Don’t you just love love?! Valentines is one of my favourite holidays because for me, nothing is better than showing the people I care about most that I love them. Valentines can be one of the most commercial holidays and its easy to get overwhelmed by all the expectations and marketing. I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be complicated and you can have an amazing and romantic night right at home! Skip the resos and the overpriced restaurant dinners with these fun and simple ideas. 1. Cook Together I love cooking for Walt, but sometimes its even better to make an activity of it...

Easy and Delicious Meal Prep

New Years is filled with celebrating and big hopes for the year ahead. Although I love to set goals, I don’t believe in New Year resolutions or waiting until January to make big changes. Instead, I try to live a balanced life all year round that includes balanced, home cooked meals as well as yummy treats. I believe food should be shared and enjoyed, not demonized, besides there are too many delicious recipes out there to eat boiled chicken and rice every day in the name of health! One tool I use to ensure I am eating balanced meals is meal prepping. Having prepped food on hand means that...

Food Lovers Christmas List

Two of my favourite things about the holidays are gift giving to the ones we love and the amazing food! I've put those two amazing things together to create this guide that has a little something for everyone on it. From the gourmet chef, the fabulous host or the adventurous cook, these gift ideas will not disappoint. First up is charcuterie accessories. This board comes with everything you need to make the dreamiest board including knives and food labels that can all be stored in the board's slide out drawer. If you are looking for a smaller add-on gift for the charcuterie lover in your...

Wine Lovers Gift Guide

It's that time of year again! Can you hear the bells? Can you smell the chestnuts roasting on an open fire? With December right around the corner its time to start thinking about gifts for all the amazing people in your life. Gift giving can be stressful, but I am here to make it just a little easier for you with this guide to wow the wine lover in your life. From stocking stuffers to bigger items you’ll find something here for everyone. I’m a big fan of combining a larger gift and a fun related add on. Mix and match the gifts in this guide or pair with your favorite bottle of wine. For...

Planning the Best Thanksgiving Menu

Roasted brussels sprouts with bacon and pomegranates | cookingwithcassandra.com

For fellow Canadians, Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, good food, amazing company, and lots of warm fuzzies as we take some time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. If you are a last-minute planner like me, this blog post is here to save the day and help you plan the perfect thanksgiving menu whether you are having an intimate gathering, a large family affair, or want to shake things up a bit. Each recipe includes step by step instructions, pro-tips and everything you need to know to wow your guests. The Appetizers One of the...

99 Kitchen Terms Every Home Chef Needs To Know

Cassandra Morris baking in the kitchen | cookingwithcassandra.com

If you don't know your al dente from your al fresco, or if you ever scrolled past a recipe the second it mentions 'braising' or 'reducing'- you're not alone. Kitchen-talk can sound like another language - and it is!  6 years ago, I swear on my favorite set of pans, I didn't even know how to boil water. I want to help you make friends with your kitchen by providing you with a glossary of essential cooking terms, techniques, equipment, ingredients, and more to improve your skills in the kitchen and bring your A-game to the table. Even when perusing the most simple recipes, you'll come...

6 Empowering Results of Meal Prep

Homecooked meal prep | cookingwithcassandra.com

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” – Benjamin Franklin When we’re looking to create a new healthy habit (or get consistent with one that shows up only a couple times a month) most of us are truly seeking one or more of the following results: • A change to our body  • Self Confidence • Less daily stress!! • More energy • Improved productivity, mental clarity or mood • Ditching any unwanted habits • Consistency in healthy habits that feels effortless! Before we dig into how weekly meal planning sets us up for success and can check off many of the above boxes, I have a very...

How To Build Your Confidence & Take Action Towards Your Goals

How To Build Your Confidence & Take Action Towards Your Goals | cookingwithcassandra.com

Remember that, despite what Instagram says, success doesn't happen overnight.  Imagine you have a goal.  Let's say your goal is to run a marathon. (If your stomach just churned at the word 'run,' don't worry, this isn't an article about running). Let's say you train for a year, transforming your daily habits to get up at 5 am, Monday-Friday to run for an hour before your busy day starts.  A year later, you take a bite of your well-deserved energy bar and pose proudly with your medal. You did it! You ran the marathon. You achieved your goal. Snap! Your family captures the...

The Benefits Of Menu Planning (+ A Free Menu Planner For You)

Menu Planning | cookingwithcassandra.com

I’m about to share my secret weapon for success (in everything I do). Are you ready for this? Drumroll, please… Organization! I would be a chicken with my head cut off without my laid out to do lists and schedules. Without taking the time to plan before I do my weekly groceries, I would be reaching for the take-out menu all week! Menu-planning has transformed my life in so many ways that I want to help you transform yours. Let's look at all the benefits of menu planning together- and I'm also going to give you a gift to help you thrive in your first week! YOU WILL BE HEALTHIER Learning...

Jujeh kabab - Eating | cookingwithcassandra.com

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