Tortilla Roll-ups

This has been a long week.  Besides being busy with work, we've been tackling last minute wedding preparations and finishing up errands as we come to a weekend I'll be out of town.  We also had the opportunity to make tortilla roll-ups for a going away party at my office.  There are two different tortilla roll-up recipes below.

Cream Cheese, Ham and Pickle Roll-ups
Ingredients:
plain cream cheese, softened
sliced ham - I buy the store brand ham thats one serving per packet for around 60 cents
tortillas
dill pickles, whole

Directions:
Spread cream cheese onto flat tortilla.  Lay two pieces of ham across the middle of the tortilla.  Lay two pickles towards one edge of tortilla and roll.  Once rolled up, slice! 

I don't normally have enough of these ingredients on hand.  So I hit the store before I start.  I go for 1 packet of cream cheese, 2 of the sliced hamd (I believe there are 10 slices per packet), 1 package of torillas and 1 large jar of pickles.  I make as many roll-ups as I can until I run out of something - usually pickles.

Cream cheese, Spinach, Ham and Bacon Roll-ups
Ingredients:
plain cream cheese, softened
bacon pieces
fresh spinach
sliced ham, 4-5 slices
Italian seasoning

Directions:
Using a food chopper (love my Ninja chop!), chop spinach, bacon pieces, and ham together into a puree.  Add Italian seasoning and a block of cream cheese and mix well.  Spread onto a flat tortilla.  Roll the tortilla and slice.

 

Cream Cheese, Ham and Pickle on the left

 Cream Cheese, Spinach, Ham and Bacon Bits on the right

Marinated Mozzarella

This week was our division wide Christmas luncheon at work.  With over 250 invited, we needs lots of food.  There's always plenty of potatoes, veggies, desserts and other salads, so I signed up to bring an appetizer of some kind.  I spent some time browsing online for easy appetizers for hungry crowds and found a recipe for Marinated Mozzarella.  Not only was it easy, but it was a crowd pleaser as well!

Ingredients:
18 oz. mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 jar green olives
toothpicks

Directions:
Mix olive oil and seasoning.  Pour over cubed cheese and let marinate 8-48 hours.  Using toothpicks, skewer one green olive and one cheese cube and put on serving platter.  Enjoy!

I cubed the cheese and prepped the mixture on a Monday.  I wanted to let the cheese have plenty of time to marinate.  On Wednesday, when I opened the bowl, I was quite horrified.  The chemical reaction of the cheese and olive oil soaking had resulted in a foamy texture of flavored water.  Don't worry!  I learned that one you have moved the mozzarella from the marination the condensation will disappear.  Just allow for some time before serving and all will be well! 

Corn Salsa

In need of a simple, yet flavorful party recipe?  Think Corn Salsa!  Its fresh, vibrant and healthy - can't beat that!

Ingredients:

1 can Black Beans, drained and rinsed

1 can Corn, drained

4 Roma Tomatos, seeded and chopped

1 medium Avocado, peeled and chopped
1/8-1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro, chopped
3-4 tbsp Lime Juice
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper

Prepare all ingredents.  Mix together in large bowl.  Cover and chill.  Add more salt, pepper, lime juice and vinegar to taste.  Serve with Tortilla chips.