Spring Archives - Cooking with Cassandra

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!...

Strawberry Baked Brie

Strawberry Baked Brie This strawberry baked brie is a delicious twist on an old favorite. Instead of sugar laden store bought jellies to top your brie, whip up this fresh strawberry topping for the perfect sweet and savory combination. 1 Large brie round (approx 600 gram / 21 oz )1 ½ cups Strawberries (hulled and quartered)3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar3 tbsp Liquid honey2 tbsp Sliced almonds for topping6 Basil leaves (chiffonade / torn) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with rack in the center of the oven.In a medium bowl, mix the balsamic vinegar and honey until well combined. Add in...

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...

Cinco de Mayo Recipes

Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican culture and cuisine, and what better way to honor the occasion than with a feast of delicious dishes? As a lover of Mexican food, I've curated a list of my favorite recipes that are perfect for celebrating this festive day. From traditional classics to creative twists, these recipes are sure to delight your taste buds and bring the flavors of Mexico to your table. Whether you're planning a fiesta with friends or a cozy dinner at home, these Cinco de Mayo recipes are guaranteed to make your celebration unforgettable! If you give any of these...

Best Turkey Taco Salad

Taco night holds a special place in my heart—it's more than just a meal, it's a nostalgic tradition that brings back memories of family gatherings and fun-filled evenings. There's something comforting about the simplicity of tacos, and this Turkey Taco Salad recipe offers a modern twist on this classic favorite that is always a hit. For taco salad lovers looking for a healthier option, this Turkey Taco Salad recipe is the answer. Made with lean ground turkey, fresh vegetables, and a zesty cilantro lime yogurt dressing, this salad is a flavorful and satisfying meal. What's more, it's easy...

Earls Santa Fe Chicken Salad (Earls Restaurant Copycat)

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!...

One Pan Parmesan Crusted Chicken With Potatoes And Zucchini

Parmesan Chicken with Potatoes | cookingwithcassandra.com

Here is a one-pan meal that I can never get sick of, and for good reason: parmesan crusted chicken. It features oven-baked chicken tenders that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Together with the baby potatoes and zucchini, the garlicky parmesan crust is so delicious, people will be grinning from ear to ear. Say cheese! Why I love this recipe: It’s a one-pan recipe, which means less time spent cleaning and more time spent relaxing. I count it as a blessing when I’m having an extremely busy day and still want to put something yummy on the table that’s...

Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

Slice of lemon blueberry cake with fresh blueberries on the side | cookingwithcassandra.com

One habit I’ve gotten into – and has helped me for years now – is to follow a solid morning routine. I start by making the bed, do a light workout (these days it’s yoga and jogging) and then have breakfast before getting to my office on time to start the work day. Some days, I can muster up the effort to cook a full breakfast spread for me and hubs. On other days, we take it easy with a sweet cake and cup of coffee. That’s where this recipe comes in: a lemon blueberry coffee cake with cream cheese. This streusel coffee cake has a sweet cream cheese filling and tarty lemon batter....

Overnight Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

Zucchini Bread Oatmeal | cookingwithcassandra.com

From the popular peanut butter-banana combo to the annual pumpkin spice, there are many ways to upgrade boring oatmeal into a delicious treat. My latest conquest involves zucchini bread overnight oats, which turned out to be surprisingly good. All it takes is some creativity and courage to experiment with new things! What is zucchini bread? Zucchini bread, typically made by baking a bread mixture of grated zucchini and walnuts, is well-loved for being adequately sweet and moist. When baked in a loaf, this summer squash makes a heartwarming treat for any time of...

Lemon Raspberry Bread

Sliced lemon raspberry loaf | cookingwithcassandra.com

Baking is so different from cooking. In baking, you follow a set of instructions to a tee, put it in the oven, and hope for the best. Cooking, on the other hand, is much more relaxed: you season as you go along and there’s more wiggle room for mistakes. Some find it stressful to bake, having to follow the exact measurements and the cooking methods. But for me and many other home cooks, baking is a form of therapy! I’m forced to be completely present in the baking process and this helps me forget about my errands, chores, or any other stressors. And at the end of that, I’m...

Easy Mojito Pitcher Recipe

Glass of Refreshing Mojito | cookingwithcassandra.com

There's nothing worse than playing bartender all night when you're supposed to be relaxing with your guests. Mojitos are one of my favorite cocktails, but making them one glass at a time is way too much work. That's why this easy no-muddle mojito pitcher recipe is my go-to for summer gatherings. By using a quick mint simple syrup instead, you get all that fresh flavor without the fuss of muddling. The best part is you can prep it in advance —when guests are ready, just pour over ice and serve. It’s the perfect recipe for you if you're a beginner mixologist, since mojito pitchers are one...

Best Three Bean Salad

A bright and inviting bowl of three bean salad is one of the smartest (and quickest) dishes you can pack for a summer picnic, a camping trip, or an outdoor BBQ party. The origins of the three bean salad are unclear. We know that this side dish became popular in the 50s because it was made of canned beans which everyone already had in their pantry. The cherry on top was a tangy, refreshing marinade that the beans soaked in. By the 60s and 70s, companies came up with instant 3 bean salads in cans, which you can still find on shelves today. I think it’s way healthier to make your...