Sauteed Shredded Zucchini

Melissa's Notes: This is a great side dish that is super easy, but just a little fancier than your usual sauteed vegetables. It's good to mix things up a bit. I bought the zucchini when it was on sale, then shredded it in my Cuisinart and froze what I didn't use in the side dish to put in soups and such.

Sauteed Shredded Zucchini

1-2 zucchini shredded (if you don't have a cuisinart, you can use a plain old cheese grater)
1-2 Tbsp. shallot, or onion
1 Tbsp. butter
1-2 Tbsp. heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste

Saute shallot or onion in the butter for about 2-3 minutes, until softened. Add zucchini and salt and pepper. Saute for another couple minutes, and then stir in whipping cream. Start with 1 Tbsp. and add more as needed. Voila!

Steak Sandwiches

Melissa's Notes: Another easy meal that is so tasty! You kind of feel like you're eating out with this one, but paying so much less! I bought these ciabatta rolls from Albertson's that you take home and finish baking in your oven, and they really give you that fresh bread experience. I don't know if this is a very kid friendly meal (at least for younger kids), but James and I loved it. Serve with oven fries, or sweet-potato fries.

Steak Sandwich

1 rib-eye steak (about an inch thick)
McCormick steak seasoning (or another brand that you like)
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. ketchup
ciabatta rolls
sliced tomatoes
lettuce

Cut the steak in half crosswise, so you have two thinner steaks (kind of like butterflying, I think). Sprinkle both sides generously with steak seasoning. Cook at medium high heat on an oiled grill pan, about 3 minutes each side. Mix mayonnaise, ketchup, and a little bit of steak seasoning in bowl. Spread the mayonnaise mixture on the ciabatta rolls. Top rolls with steak, tomatoes, and lettuce (or anything else that sounds good to you). Use the rest of the mayonnaise mixture to dip your fries in!

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Melissa's Notes: I made this last week for Sunday dinner and it was great, it made good leftovers too (in James' opinion, the leftovers were better!). Although, I didn't think it was really "tangy", and I probably would use a little more salt next time I make it. You could do a double duty dinner with this and have pork sandwiches for the second dinner. I added purple potatoes to the crockpot, and you have to do this, the potatoes may have been the best part!! Serve over egg noodles or rice. We served it with jello and sauteed shredded zucchini.

recipe courtesy of All Recipes

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Pumpkin Bars w/ Cream Cheese Frosting

Melissa's Notes: These were so good that I don't think I can make them again because I end up eating way too many! But if you need to bring a dessert somewhere this Fall, and you can share them without bringing home too many leftovers, make these!! I didn't have nutmeg or cloves on hand, so I used allspice instead. If you like pumpkin desserts, you will love this.

recipe courtesy of Favorites

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs
1 2/3 c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
1 (16-ounce) can pumpkin
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves

Beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin till light and fluffy (Once I added the pumpkin, it got super runny, so I would beat the eggs, sugar, and oil until light and fluffy, and then add the pumpkin). Stir together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, soda, and spices. Add to pumpkin mixture. Spread in greased 10x15 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Cool.

Cream Cheese Frosting

6 oz. cream cheese
1 c. butter
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar

Cream together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth and creamy.

Coca-Cola Cake and Frosting

Melissa's Notes: I made this for James' birthday yesterday. It's a lot like Texas Sheet Cake-super moist and sweet. For James, I added a bit more cocoa then the recipe calls for, I just used heaping tablespoonfuls instead of measuring exactly. Also, I left out the marshmallows, but I'm sure that would be a really good addition. And no nuts for James, it gets in the way of the chocolate! Try this, you won't regret it!

recipe courtesy of Favorites cookbook

Coca-Cola Cake

2 c. flour
2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1 c. Coke (not diet)
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1/2 c. buttermilk
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. mini marshmallows

Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl. Melt butter in saucepan, add Coke and cocoa and bring to a boil. Let cool for 5 minutes or so. Blend in buttermilk, eggs, vanilla, baking soda and salt. Pour into greased 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350 for 35 min., or until a toothpick comes out clean. Sprinkle marshmallows and bake an additional 3-5 min. until melted. Cool cake and frost with Coca-Cola Frosting.

Coca-Cola Frosting

1/2 c. butter
6 Tbsp. Coke
2 Tbsp. cocoa
3 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts (optional)

Melt butter. Add Coke and cocoa and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and mix into powdered sugar. Add vanilla and mix until smooth and creamy. Spread onto cake and top with nuts, if desired. (The frosting is pretty thin, but don't worry, that's how it's supposed to be!)