Snowman Tower of Gifts

Every once in while I am able to take my time and wrap a couple of gifts in a unique way.  My husband was the lucky one to receive this one.  It was very easy.  I didn't have any plain white paper so I just used regular wrapping paper flipped the other way.  I used a hat and scarf from the closet, but you could easily buy new and make them part of the gift.  

Materials

• Black Paper
• Orange Paper
• 3 Different Sized Boxes
• Wrapping Paper
• Hat and Scarf

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

Creamy Sausage Tortellini Soup

I am a huge fan of two types of soups 1- The kind that you make in the slow cooker and 2- The kind that you can throw together quickly and simmer for less than 20 minutes.  This one falls into the second category.  When I made this the other night, I had to eat it and rush out the door to a meeting so I didn't get to hear everyone's comments and feedback.  I enjoyed the soup a lot, but I wasn't sure what my mother-in-law, father-in-law, and husband were going to think.  Well, 3 days later my father-in-law was still talking about how much he enjoyed it and was wondering when I was going to make it again.  He generally likes everything that I make.  He is by FAR the most critical member of the family.  If you likes something he lets me know and if he doesn't like something he also lets me know:)  I appreciate his feed back and I have learned to take his critiques as encouragement  so I appreciate his opinion.  Although sometimes he tries to get way to technical and we all laugh at him and keep eating.  

Ingredients:

• About 2 Cups of Baby Spinach
• 3 14 oz cans of Chicken Broth
• 1 lb of Mild Italian Sausage
• 1 can of Italian Seasoned Diced Tomatoes
• 4 oz Cream Cheese (not fat free, it won't melt) at room temperature and cut into cubes
• 1 small package of Frozen Tortellini

Serves 6

Cook, crumble 1 lb of bulk mild Italian Sausage.  Drain off excess grease.  In a large pot combine chicken broth, tomatoes (undrained), and cooked sausage.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to med and add cream cheese.  Stir to combine and melt.  When cream cheese is melted throughout, add in spinach and tortellini.  Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until tortellini is cooked.

If you want this soup to be spicier, add a pinch of red pepper flakes and/or use HOT Italian Sausage.  

Follow the Magical Moms on Facebook and Pinterest for weekly menu ideas, crafts, and Disney Magic.  

Birthday Lunch

Both my boys have summer birthdays so I wasn't sure that I would ever get to do this, but Evan is going to day camp this week so it was the perfect opportunity.  Last night before went to bed I got out the wrapping paper and packed his lunch.  I wrapped up his PB&J and the rest of his lunch.  I laughed the entire time I was wrapping because I could only imagine what the police officers that run the junior police camp were going to say.  When Evan got home from camp, he immediately told me how COOL it was and that everyone sang him Happy Birthday!  I am sure that he is going to expect it every year!  

Crazy Good Crab Cakes

We live close to Baltimore so we have access to some of the best crab!  I am spoiled, I often laugh at chain restaurant menus that offer crab cakes because I know that it is just not as fresh as I am used to.  My husband has taken me so some fantastic crab restaurants, but it is sometimes hard to go out to dinner with the kiddos.  Now we can bring the deliciousness (is that even a word) to our house!  

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of Fresh Crab Meat
• 1 Egg
• 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dry Mustard
• 2 Tablespoons of Mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon Yellow Mustard
• 1 Tablespoon Melted Butter
• 1 teaspoon Dried Parsley Flakes
• 1/2 Cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs (Sometimes I don't use all of them, I add them a little at a time)
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
• A pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (I crumble them to make them a little smaller)
• Olive Oil

Serves about 6 as an entree

In a small bowl combine, Worcestershire, Dry Mustard, Mayonnaise, melted butter, dried parsley, Old Bay, lemon juice, egg, and yellow mustard.  Mix until well blended

In a larger bowl place crab meat.

Pour in egg mixture and mix well, but do it gently to ensure that there are still large pieces of crab.  You might want to use your hands.   Next, sprinkle in half of the bread crumbs and mix.  Add in the remainder of the crumbs (you may not need quite all of them) until you have the right consistency.  You don't want them to be too wet or too dry.

Heat a large skillet with a LITTLE bit of olive oil just enough so the crab cakes don't stick to the skillet.  Form about 6 patties and place them in the hot skillet.  

When they start to turn golden brown (about 3 minutes) flip to the other side for an additional 3 minutes or until golden brown and heated through.

Serve with the Creamy Crab Cake Sauce

Sauce

• 1/2 Cup Mayo
• 3 or four dashes of Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Horseradish
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 4 teaspoons Lemon Juice

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.  Refrigerate until you are ready to use.  

You could also make appetizer size crab cakes to serve at a party as a quick finger food.  Makes about 30.

If you like crab, try our Asparagus Steak Oscar.

This recipe was featured on the Magical Moms' July Menu.  Be sure to check out all of our monthly menus


Lots of AMAZING recipes on the Magical Moms' June Menu, Marvelous May Menu, Appetizing April Menu, and March Madness Menu.