The Ultimate Summer Recipes - cookingwithcassandra.com

Easy Pulled Pork Burgers

This recipe is a true labor of love. There are quite a number of ingredients to prepare and it takes time to cook the different parts of it. Each time I’ve served this, though, it never fails to put a smile on people’s faces. So, so worth it! It consists of tender, juicy shredded pork cooked for nearly 4 hours and marinated in a spiced dry rub. Sandwiched between toasted brioche buns, the burger is finished with homemade barbecue sauce and fresh coleslaw. Every bite packs a punch and is bursting with flavor – savory, sweet, spicy, buttery, smoky, tangy. Just writing this now...

Creamy Zucchini Pasta With Avocado Spinach Sauce

Toss out that packet of spaghetti and swap it for zoodles. These zucchini noodles are ten times healthier than store-bought spaghetti: they are low-carb, nutrient-packed, and are better for the gut, too. If you’re someone who doesn’t hesitate before digging into regular pasta, I’m sure your body will thank you for changing things up a bit. With a bit of spiralizing and sauce-making, you’ll have a hearty bowl of soft zucchini pasta with the creamiest avocado spinach sauce that’s just as healthy. We get the cream entirely from the avocado, and the blended spinach turns into a...

Persian Chicken Joojeh Kebabs

This recipe has a special place in my heart. I called my Dad in for this joojeh kabob recipe because he knows it like the back of his hand. To give you some context, my maiden name is Shahinfar. My Dad moved from Iran to Canada with my Shahinfar family when he was 16 years old. Even though we were born in Canada, my Dad made it a point to keep our heritage and our traditions. I have memories of growing up eating the most delicious Persian cuisine and my Dad’s flavor-packed joojeh kabob recipe was always one of my favorites. My cousins and I would drop whatever we were playing...

Delicious Steak Salad With Yogurt Dressing

Close up of Steak salad with vegetables, cheese and creamy dressing

Here’s the thing about barbecues: they’re fun and delicious, but can sometimes get pretty unhealthy. All that meat, burger and hot dog buns, potato dishes, beer… not exactly the most heart-friendly! But Cassandra, I have salad on the side at my barbecue parties! 😉 Sure, but are you really filling up on boring salad greens when the grill’s going? My tip to make that salad more interesting? Make it an appetizing Delicious Steak Salad With Yogurt Dressing! This steak salad features scrumptiously marinated, thinly sliced steak atop a bed of fresh vegetables complete with cheese...

Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles

So, here is my recipe for fresh asparagus with puff pastry, a lovely side dish for any dinner party. I’ll be honest: it doesn’t look like much at first, and it’s definitely not as tantalizing as a colorful berry salad. But don’t be fooled, one bite into this asparagus with puff pastry and you’ll be amazed: glazed with honey, oozing with the best cheese mixture, and simply robust asparagus, this is definitely going to be one of the most memorable dishes you’ll ever have. It is very similar to cheesy asparagus tarts, except this one has already been apportioned and is shaped...

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 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. Talk about throwback Thursday! Recipe Ingredients This peach crisp is made...

Summer Berry Salad With Candied Almonds & Goat Cheese

Close up view of a berry salad on a platter

Call me obsessed, but anytime I get to add berries to a dish, I’ll do it. I mean, what’s not to love? They’re juicy, bite-sized and rich in antioxidants! Plus, they bring back all of those happy childhood memories of snacking on blackberries by the pool with my family. This summer berry salad is loaded with blueberries, blackberries, arugula, cucumbers, avocados, goat cheese and sugared almonds. Sweet, refreshing and just a hint of balsamic vinegar to top it off! It is the perfect side dish to go with a seafood or red meat dish. Recipe Ingredients Let me preface this by saying that...

Best Canadian Caesar Cocktail

Red cocktail topped with skewer of dill pickle slices and garlic-stuffed olives

If you could be any cocktail, what would you be? For me, it’s gotta be a Canadian Caesar. Why? It’s funky, it’s spicy, and a unique fusion of the best things! I love myself a Canadian Caesar cocktail - always have and always will. It is our country’s national drink, after all, and it’s perfect for Canada Day which is just around the corner! Walk into any bar, order a Caesar, and get ready to be mind blown by this funky fusion of clamato juice, vodka, sauces, and toppings. Or better yet, make it yourself with the best recipe below. Oh, and in case you were wondering –...

How to Grill the Perfect Hamburgers

Look no further - here’s a recipe for a mouthwatering gourmet-style hamburger that you can handcraft at home. It features a juicy beef and pork patty, marble cheddar, pickles, onions, and garlic, laced with fragrant Italian herbs. Stop right here if you’re hungry because this post will get your stomach growling even louder! Burgers have always been my thing, and I can never say no to a meaty, juicy grilled burger that’s slightly burnt and covered in melted cheddar cheese. The cheeseburger at Brazen Hall Kitchen & Brewery in Winnipeg is EVERYTHING. That...

Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Growing up, I was surrounded by loads of Mediterranean food influences. I had a family full of amazing cooks and I was always served the best dishes from scratch, and now that I’m older, I realize that I was incredibly lucky to have had someone cook for me. In Mediterranean cooking, we use a lot of flavorful plant-based foods like legumes, grains, and herbs. But, we also love our sauces and dressings. People tend to think of Mediterranean food like Italian, but it actually is a melting pot of European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and African cuisines. This Mediterranean pasta salad...

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

A close up of toasted bread with bruschetta toppings

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 Red Sangria – Perfect for Summer

There is no better drink to enjoy during summer than a red sangria! Traditional sangria is a cocktail made of Spanish red wine and a variety of fresh fruits and berries. Think of it as a fruit punch that has red wine and is infused for a few hours. This allows the taste of the wine to change depending on the types of fruit mixed in. It’s the best beverage to cool down with whether you’re by the beach, at the pool, or winding down in the summer evening. If you’re having a few friends over dinner, why not try pairing it with this summer berries, candied almonds and goat cheese...

Cassandra Morris