The Ultimate Summer Recipes - Cooking with Cassandra

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...

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...

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...

Summer Berry Salad With Candied Almonds & Goat Cheese

Berry Salad on Platter | cookingwithcassandra.com

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

Canadian Caesar Cocktail Recipe| cookingwithcassandra.com

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

Burger with Feta Turkey patty | cookingwithcassandra.com

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 a local favourite of mine in Winnipeg is...

Easy Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with cherry tomatoes | cookingwithcassandra.com

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 Red Sangria – Perfect for Summer

Red Sangria Wine | cookingwithcassandra.com

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...

Refreshing Watermelon Cucumber Cocktail

Watermelon Cucumber Cocktail | cookingwithcassandra.com

Picture this: you’re on a camping trip to Banff, and you’ve been hiking all day. Finally, you get to the top, exhausted and parched. Your hiking buddy whips out a flask filled with… no, not cold water, but a chilled watermelon cucumber cocktail. LIFE. SAVER! Honestly, wouldn’t that be the best thing ever? Whenever you’re thirsty and feeling like a fresh, fruity drink, this recipe will be there for you. Whether it’s for happy hour, a family holiday or a bridal shower, this drink will get the party going. Cheers! Recipe Ingredients Watermelon - Seedless watermelons are...

Simple Shirazi Salad

Shirazi Salad | cookingwithcassandra.com

I’m so excited to share another Persian recipe with you guys because whenever there’s food involved, it’s always a good idea to go back to your heritage, am I right? With that said, I love trying new things and tasting food from different cuisines. What is your favorite dish from your culture or heritage? Let me know by commenting on this blog post – I’d love to know! Shirazi salad or Salad-e Shirazi is a vibrant, colorful salad that is commonly served in any Iranian household, including my own. It is known for this really uniform look since everything is cut to about the same...