Ham and Olive Pinwheels have been a go-to appetizer for me for quite some time now. I love them because it is easy to make a lot of them at one time.
The problem with many fun appetizers is that they are too time-consuming and involve too many steps that need to be finished right before guests eat them, making it really difficult to feed a lot of people. With these wonderful morsels you will have plenty of elegant bites for guests to enjoy, with no last-minute preparations. These can be made weeks in advance and frozen, then just thaw, slice and serve; no last-minute garnishing required. They are perfect for small or large gatherings, causal game day appetizers or side dish to a fancy brunch. Best part, they freeze well for up to six months, so if you make too many, just leave them wrapped well in the freezer for the next gathering.
Ham and Olive Pinwheels
4 ounces softened cream cheese
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
1 2.5-ounce can black olives, finely diced
1 small garlic clove minced
¼ teaspoon onion powder
3-4 dashes hot sauce, like tobacco
8 ounces deli-sliced ham
6, 9-inch flour tortillas
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, diced chiles, diced olives, garlic, onion powder and hot sauce to make a consistent spread.
Using one tortilla at a time, spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture over the tortilla leaving a 1” edge clean on one side.
Place 1 to 1½ pieces of ham, depending on how big your slices are, over the cream cheese mixture. Then tightly roll the tortilla toward the end that you left open from sauce.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap until ready to serve.
When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap by trimming off both ends to easily open.
Continue to cut ½” slices at an angle along the roll.
Note: The end pieces usually do not have a good amount of filling, so these are great snack for the chefs in the kitchen.
Makes approx. 60 bite-size pinwheels. To freeze, wrap in foil for best freshness.
What are some of your favorite easy appetizers?