Chocolate Caramel Toffee Cake

I made this yummy guy for Gray's birthday. When he picked it out I knew it was going to be great and horrible to have in the house, ha!  It really was soooo good and sooo easy!!! The recipe is from Table for 7.

1 box chocolate or German chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients to make)
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (8oz) container whipped topping
caramel ice cream topping
1 cup toffee bits

Mix the ingredients for the cake and bake according to directions.  When the cake has cooled for 5 to 10 minutes, poke holes all over the cake and let cool for 1 hour.  Once the hour is up, pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top of the cake. Then drizzle 1/4 cup of caramel sauce over the cake. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until cake is completely cooled.  Top with whipped topping, the remaining carmel sauce and toffee bits. Serve right away or store in refrigerator until time to serve. 

Ooey Gooey Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Oh my goodness. These were divine. This picture truly does not do them justice!  I found this recipe over at Fifteen Spatulas.  I'm sure we will be making these again soon, these would be perfect for a Saturday night watching football!

3/4 pound strip steak
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1/2 a softball sized onion (thinly sliced)
1 small green pepper (thinly sliced)  (we don't like peppers so I didn't use them)
8 oz mushrooms (chopped)
8 slices of provolone
salt and pepper
4 hoagie rolls, sliced in half about 3/4 of the way down

Place the strip steak in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This makes it much easier to slice.  Prepare your other ingredients while it's chilling. In a pan add the olive oil and butter. Add the onions with a bit of salt and pepper. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes or until translucent. Add the peppers if using and cook for 15 more minutes.  Remove and add mushrooms to pan. Slice the steak now. Heat oven to 350. Continue cooking mushrooms until brown and soft. Add to the onion and pepper mixture. Add the steak to the pan and toss, letting it cook for about 30 seconds on each side. Turn the heat off and add the onions, peppers and mushrooms back to the pan. Divide into 4 sections and top with 2 slices of cheese per section.  Once the cheese is melted, scoop each section into one hoagie roll, wrap in foil and place in the oven for 15 minutes.  When they are done in the even remove from foil and enjoy. 

Orzo with Bacon, Spinach and Mushrooms

I love a good orzo dish!  I made this several weeks ago but it will be a great fall dish as well! The recipe is from Mary Ellen's Cooking Creations.

1 tbsp olive oil
4 slices raw bacon (chopped)
1 sm onion (chopped)
 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
3 \mushrooms (chopped)
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup orzo
1/2 bag fresh spinach (roughly chopped)
Salt and pepper to taste

Heat oil over medium high heat.  At bacon and saute until brown and crispy. Remove from pan.  Leave 1 Tablespoon of grease in pan.   Add garlic and onions and saute until onions are translucent.  Add mushrooms and continue to saute for 2 minutes.  Add wine and cooked until mostly absorbed.  Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Add the orzo and cook until the orzo is done. Once the orzo is done stir in the spinach and bacon.  Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.