The Ultimate Summer Recipes - cookingwithcassandra.com

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 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 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...

Easy Peach Crisp

If anyone asks you what a peach crisp is, it's essentially the same as a peach cobbler. This double-layered dessert of sweet, juicy peach filling topped with healthy - ish rolled oats is oven-baked to perfection! Whether you’re going for a party or just a midday snack, bring these with you and everyone will be sinking their teeth into them in no time. Even better if you serve it with some vanilla ice cream. Here is my comprehensive guide to making peach crisp just like my dear grandmother would. Recipe Ingredients This peach crisp is made of two layers: a warm and sweet...

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce | cookingwithcassandra.com

I was beyond words when I found out PF Chang’s was launching here in Canada. My husband and I are huge fans of Asian food, so we rushed to book a table there for dinner. Needless to say, we were impressed! Of all the amazing dishes we had, I knew I had to try and replicate PF Chang’s chicken lettuce wraps. Tender, juicy and just so full of flavor. These chicken lettuce wraps are so versatile - they work really well as starters or as part of a main course, depending on how many people are at the table. What I absolutely love about these delicious wraps is that they’re...

Refreshing Strawberry Margaritas

Strawberry & slice of lime Margarita | cookingwithcassandra.com

I am a huge margarita fan! Aside from wine, tequila is my go-to for my cocktail of choice. Recently, I shared my margarita pitcher recipe which is great for serving big crowds. While a classic margarita makes for a delicious cocktail, sometimes I like to switch it up, especially if I’m feeling particularly creative. Today, I’m sharing a variation of the traditional recipe: a frozen strawberry margarita. This homemade strawberry margarita recipe uses frozen strawberries, tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, and honey. When blended together, the mixture turns a very pretty pink...

Pasta With White Wine Lemon Sauce

Lemon Pasta topped with Cherry Tomatoes and fresh Basil | cookingwithcassandra.com

When life gives you lemons, what do you do? If you’re Cassandra Morris, you concoct a divine lemon sauce with white wine to go with fettuccine pasta. This lemon white wine pasta sauce recipe is the ultimate game changer. While I do love myself a rich carbonara and a light aglio olio, this white wine sauce is the perfect in-between. If you’re someone who loves to experiment with new flavors, you are going to love this one. This pasta is coated with a lemon-infused garlic cream sauce, and the white wine does wonders that you can only experience when you’re cooking this...

Garlic Butter Baked Shrimp

Garlic Butter Shrimp | cookingwithcassandra.com

Does anyone else find themself frequenting the frozen dinners aisle at Costco a lot more than they should? That was 100% me before I began my cooking journey… There are just so many different things to try! Who can say no to an easy, no-frills, microwaveable meal every now and then? My days of frozen dinners are behind me, but I recently thought about this garlic butter shrimp scampi I once had which actually tasted amazing. I decided to recreate it with my own spin on it. I present you: the best garlic butter shrimp you’ll ever have. Instead of going the pasta route, this...

Quick & Easy Blueberry Pancakes (The Fluffiest!)

Pancakes with blueberry toppings | cookingwithcassandra.com

I made a trip to the farmer’s market last weekend, ready to welcome a warm Summer's day. I was greeted by the prettiest vegetables there, but the thing that really caught my eyes was the blueberries. Sitting proudly in a pile were cute tiny blueberries, all proudly handpicked by these independent farmers. Of course, I thought to myself. Blueberries are in season, and that can only mean one thing: HELLO, blueberry pancakes! I love this recipe for pancakes loaded with blueberries. Every bite promises a burst of sweet and sour blueberries accompanied by a buttery pancake and...

Easy Homemade Pico De Gallo

Homemade Pico De Gallo Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

What’s a tangy, fresh dip that goes super well with chips? You guessed it – salsa! No more buying bottled salsa, my friends. Today, I’m showing you exactly how to make authentic pico de gallo. It isn’t exactly salsa, though it is just one step shy. The only difference is that salsa is a puréed form of the same ingredients, whereas pico de gallo (or salsa fresca) keeps its vegetables in solid form. In Mexican restaurants and fast food joints, pico de gallo is found in fish tacos and meat burritos, acting as a sweet and spicy relish. Plus, it’s the perfect dip for tortilla...

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...