Winter Recipes Archives - Cooking with Cassandra

Old Fashioned Beef Stew Recipe

Beef Stew Recipe | cookingwithcassandra.com

I LOVE a good stew. They are the ultimate comfort food (followed by a cheesy hash brown casserole). They fill up your belly with food and your heart with warmth. There are so many variations of stew that are downright delicious: Japanese curry, goulash, and old-fashioned beef stew, which is today’s recipe. In January, when it’s freezing cold in Winnipeg, cooking up a batch of stew is an instant cure to get rid of the winter blues. Alright, maybe not an instant cure per se… there’s a wait time of 3 hours before you can dig in. But you know what I mean: it’s a lifesaver in our cold...

BEST Baked Mac and Cheese

Okay, I’m not going to reinvent the wheel with classic comfort food that everyone can agree on: mac and cheese. I used to love these as a kid and even more when I moved out on my own and was learning how to cook. There was always a box of mac and cheese in the pantry ready to go for a quick nostalgic meal. But if, like me, you’re ready to graduate from boxed foods and cook your own killer mac and cheese from scratch, read on! This recipe is loaded with secret tips and tricks to make a truly the best homemade macaroni and cheese, a recipe so easy and so delicious you will never go back to...

Twice Baked Potato Casserole

This twice-baked potato casserole is probably one of the best things I’ve made with potatoes, aside from this hashbrown casserole. Enclosed in a layer of melted cheese and bacon are fluffy, baked potatoes loaded with sour cream, savory cheese, and more bacon! If you’re looking for comfort food, this is a sure win. But, let’s talk about ingredients for a moment. If you’re going to make a potato casserole, you’ve got to get the right potatoes for the job. For this twice-baked potato casserole recipe, we want to use Yukon Gold potatoes, which have a good balance of starch content...

Juicy Pork Tenderloin

Pork Tenderloin sliced | cookingwithcassandra.com

Pork tenderloin is one of those dishes that never fails to impress, whether you're cooking for a special occasion or simply looking to create a delicious meal for two. It's a versatile cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways, from pan-seared to roasted, and can be paired with a range of flavors and ingredients. In this recipe, I’ll show you how to prepare a mouth-watering baked pork tenderloin that's tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This dish is perfect for a romantic dinner with your significant other or for any occasion where you want to show your...

Easy Pasta Bake (No Boiling Required!)

Last Friday, Walt and I hosted a get-together at our place with our circle of friends. Think geeky board games, wine, delicious food and the end of the night (after a few glasses of wine) Kareoke! After our recent trip to Italy Walt and I couldn't stop dreaming about pasta. I mean, who can blame us, right? When we got back I had a girls night and in a stroke of brilliance, one of my closest friends Hayley suggested we should give pasta its own special day. Move over Taco Tuesday, because we proudly present... Pasta Friday! Okay, maybe the name doesn't have that catchy ring, but who cares?...

Gingerbread Espresso Martini

Gingerbread Espresso Martini Recipe The perfect holiday entertaining drink! This gingerbread espresso martini is a fun spin on the classic cocktail and the perfect festive cocktail recipe for the holidays! For the Gingerbread Spice2 teaspoon all ground spice2 teaspoon ground cinnamon2 teaspoon ground ginger1 teaspoon ground clove1 teaspoon ground nutmegpinch black pepperFor the Rimcaramel saucebrown sugarFor the Cocktail Shaker4 ounces espresso4 ounces Baileys2 ounces vodka4 teaspoons gingerbread spiceiceTop It Offwhipped cream and espresso beansa sprinkle of the gingerbread spice In a...

Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe

Best Homemade Cranberry Sauce Recipe Discover the ultimate Homemade Cranberry Sauce recipe, an essential addition to your holiday festivities! Crafted with just 6 simple ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes, this cranberry sauce infused with orange juice is a game-changer. Plus, it's a convenient make-ahead option, ensuring you'll never resort to canned cranberry sauce again! 24 ounces cranberries (cleaned (6 cups - 2 regular 12 ounce bags))zest from 1 large orange4 cups freshly squeezed orange juice ((regular no pump orange juice also works))1 ½ cups white sugar⅓ cup brown...

Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce (Perfect Holiday Appetizer)

Cranberry Brie Dip With Flaky Roll Bites | cookingwithcassandra.com

There’s nothing like a warm, melty, and slightly sweet appetizer to set the tone for your holiday gatherings, and this Baked Brie with Cranberry Sauce is just the thing. Imagine a wheel of creamy brie (plus a bit of cheddar), baked until it’s soft and gooey, topped with tart and slightly sweet homemade cranberry sauce. Then, there’s some rosemary that laces it with an extra layer of fragrance and freshness. Encircling the brie is a flaky, golden-brown biscuit that’s buttered with parsley, which people can just pull apart before dipping it into the cheese. This cranberry baked brie is...

Cranberry Tequila Punch Recipe – The Perfect Holiday Cocktail

Cranberry Tequila Punch Recipe Christmas Punch4 cups pure 100% Cranberry Juice (chilled)3 cups sweet apple cider (chilled (not apple cider vinegar))2 cups reposado tequila (add more or less to taste)1 can of frozen orange juice concentrate2 ½ cups frozen cranberries2 oranges (thinly sliced into rounds)For Serving1 ½ cups ginger ale (add more or less to taste)cinnamon stick in each glass Combine all Christmas Punch ingredients in a large punch bowl or drink dispenser. Mix until combined.Add in cranberries and orange slices.Let chill in your refrigerator until your party starts! Chill for...

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls

The way to my heart is a bouquet of red roses and a bottle of wine. A very close second is a box of Cinnabon! Today’s recipe is a homemade cinnamon rolls recipe that’s made to win anyone over. What makes this homemade cinnamon rolls recipe so darn delicious is the cinnamon powder (I use Saigon cinnamon which is more intense and fragrant) in the rolls. There’s also the heavy cream that we pour on top of the rolls and that really gives it the rich, gooey texture that’s so satisfying. It’s then finished with a cream cheese frosting, all made from scratch. For this...

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Roasted carrots with brown sugar glaze will be a new dinner party favorite. This simple recipe is the perfect combination of sweet and savory that makes the perfect side with any meal. 2 pounds carrots (peeled)1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)3/4 teaspoon cinnamon6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into pats)1 teaspoon sea saltCandied Pecans3 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons maple syrup2 tablespoons brown sugar1 cup pecan halves (roughly chopped)1/4 teaspoon flaked sea saltGarnish3/4 cup goat cheese (crumbled)1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (optional) Preheat the...

Easy Eggnog Cocktail

Ah, eggnog! The classic holiday drink that warms your soul and makes you feel like a kid again. It's the perfect blend of creamy, sweet, and spicy goodness, and there's nothing quite like it. Whether you're sipping it by the fire on a chilly winter night or sharing it with friends and family during holiday gatherings, eggnog always brings a smile to your face. For those who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this delicious drink, eggnog is a rich and creamy concoction made with milk, cream, sugar, and beaten eggs. It's often flavored with vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon, giving it a...