The Ultimate Summer Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

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...

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...

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!...

Homemade Margarita Pitcher

Margarita Drinks | cookingwithcassandra.com

The margarita is a drink that needs no introduction. Every Mexican bar or restaurant has a margarita on its menu, and it’s a popular cocktail everyone can recognize from a mile away. Those salt-rimmed glasses filled with an iced cocktail and a fancy lime wedge? Iconic. But what really sets a good margarita apart is the cocktail mixture. If you combine just the right amount of high-quality tequila, sweet cointreau, and tangy lime juice, you’ll get a smooth margarita that tastes divine! In this recipe, I’ll be showing you my best homemade margarita recipe for a serving of 12....

Dirty Banana Cocktail

Dirty Banana Cocktail This Dirty Banana Cocktail recipe makes for the best boozy dessert and is ready in less than 5 minutes. Chocolate syrup and a maraschino cherry make it almost too cute to drink! 2 oz Appleton Special 2 oz RumChata 1 oz Crème De Cacao Liqueur4 oz Milk2 Bananas2 ½ cups IceChocolate syrupWhipped cream (for topping)maraschino cherries (for topping) Add all of the ingredients into a blender and blend it all together until smooth and creamy.Prepare your glasses - In two tall glasses, drizzle chocolate syrup around the inside of the glasses before pouring in your drink....

Paloma Cocktail

One of my favorite cocktails in the summer? A boozy Paloma cocktail. The Paloma is a highball style cocktail with its origins in Mexico. Tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime juice are the essentials of this thirst quencher and it always gets me in a celebratory mood. Though it is traditionally served with only these three ingredients, I thought I’d put my own spin on it. I stepped it up with the addition of an orange liqueur (Cointreau, sometimes Triple Sec) and sweetened the cocktail with homemade simple syrup. All the liquid ingredients go into a cocktail shaker, and...

Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake

Copycat Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake Make the famous Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake at home. Layered with creamy vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream and a hot fudge-filled cookie crumble center, this frozen treat is a perfect replica of the beloved DQ classic! Ice Cream Cake Layers1 tub Good quality chocolate ice cream (1.5 quarts )1 tub Good quality vanilla ice cream (1.5 quarts)Cookie Crunch Layer20 Crushed Oreos (with cream center)4 tbsp Salted butter (melted)1/2 cup of semisweet chocolate chips1 tablespoon of refined coconut oilHot Fudge Layer (pro tip: alternatevely you can use a 11.75...

Delicious Steak Salad With Yogurt Dressing

I LOVE summer barbecues! However, too often, hearty dishes steal the spotlight. Think burgers and potato salads! I mean I adore these recipes. But sometimes I just crave a mouthwatering summer salad! And right now, Summer Salads are having their moment! For readers who have been here for a while, you know my beliefs on dressings, vinaigrettes, and sauces—they can truly make or break a recipe. It's all about that sauce! It adds that extra pizzazz and can be conveniently prepared ahead on the weekend for easy weeknight meals. This steak salad features scrumptiously marinated, thinly sliced...

Easy Pulled Pork Burgers

Pulled Pork With Coleslaw | cookingwithcassandra.com

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 3 to 4 hours and marinated in a spiced dry rub. Sandwiched between toasted brioche buns, this pulled pork 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

Creamed spinach Tagliolini | cookingwithcassandra.com

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...