Pin It A festive and flavorful appetizer featuring smoked turkey, cream cheese, and vibrant vegetables, arranged in a whimsical tree shape—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This appetizer always brings joy to our holiday celebrations and looks stunning on the table.
Ingredients
- 4 large spinach or flour tortillas (10-inch): For rolling the pinwheels
- 170 g (6 oz) cream cheese, softened: Adds creaminess
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise: For blending
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard: Adds tang
- 200 g (7 oz) smoked turkey breast, thinly sliced: Main protein
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced: For crunch and color
- 1 small cucumber, julienned: Fresh texture
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated: Adds sweetness
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives: For flavor
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste: Seasoning
- 12 pretzel sticks: For tree trunk
- Fresh parsley sprigs: For tree branches
- Cherry tomatoes, halved: For tree ornaments
- Yellow bell pepper, sliced into a star shape: For tree topper
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Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 2:
- Lay a tortilla flat. Evenly spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture over the surface, leaving a 1 cm (1/2-inch) border.
- Step 3:
- Layer smoked turkey slices, then scatter with diced red bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, and chives.
- Step 4:
- Tightly roll up the tortilla from one end to the other. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for easier slicing.
- Step 5:
- Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Step 6:
- Unwrap and slice each roll into 6 pinwheels.
- Step 7:
- Arrange pinwheels on a large platter in the shape of a Christmas tree (wide base, narrowing to a point).
- Step 8:
- Insert pretzel sticks at the bottom for the tree trunk. Decorate with parsley sprigs between pinwheels, cherry tomato halves as ornaments, and a yellow bell pepper star at the top.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Pin It Our family eagerly awaits this appetizer every holiday season, sharing laughs while assembling the tree shape together.
Notes
Use whole-wheat tortillas for added fiber. Add thin slices of cheese for extra richness. For a vegetarian version omit turkey and add roasted vegetables.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, spatula or butter knife, chefs knife, cutting board, plastic wrap, large platter
Nutritional Information
Approximately 150 calories, 7 g total fat, 14 g carbohydrates, and 8 g protein per 3 pinwheels serving.
Pin It Your holiday table will be elevated with this eye-catching and delicious appetizer.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of tortillas work best for pinwheels?
Spinach or flour tortillas, about 10 inches, provide flexibility and hold the filling well.
- → Can smoked turkey be substituted?
Yes, smoked chicken or roast beef can be used for different flavors.
- → How should the pinwheels be stored before serving?
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up for slicing.
- → What vegetables complement the pinwheels?
Red bell pepper, cucumber, carrot, and fresh chives add color and crunch.
- → How is the tree shape assembled?
Arrange the sliced pinwheels in a wide base tapering to a point, using pretzels as the trunk and parsley and tomatoes as decorations.
- → Any tips for added richness?
Adding thin slices of cheese inside the filling enhances creaminess and flavor.
