Save 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 has become a family favorite at our holiday gatherings, always impressing guests with its festive appearance and delicious flavors.
Ingredients
- Spinach or flour tortillas: 4 large (10-inch)
- Cream cheese: 170 g (6 oz), softened
- Mayonnaise: 2 tbsp
- Dijon mustard: 1 tbsp
- Smoked turkey breast: 200 g (7 oz), thinly sliced
- Red bell pepper: 1 medium, finely diced
- Cucumber: 1 small, julienned
- Carrot: 1, peeled and grated
- Fresh chives: 2 tbsp, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: to taste
- Pretzel sticks: 12 (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
Instructions
- Prepare filling:
- In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread tortilla:
- Lay a tortilla flat. Evenly spread 1/4 of the cream cheese mixture over the surface leaving a 1 cm (1/2-inch) border.
- Add toppings:
- Layer smoked turkey slices then scatter with diced red bell pepper cucumber carrot and chives.
- Roll up:
- 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.
- Repeat:
- Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Slice:
- Unwrap and slice each roll into 6 pinwheels.
- Arrange:
- Arrange pinwheels on a large platter in the shape of a Christmas tree (wide base narrowing to a point).
- Decorate:
- 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.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Save This recipe always brings a festive spirit to our family get-togethers making the holiday season even more memorable.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl Spatula or butter knife Chefs knife Cutting board Plastic wrap Large platter
Allergen Information
Contains Wheat (tortillas) Milk (cream cheese) Eggs (mayonnaise check label) May contain Soy (depending on tortilla brand) Always read ingredient labels to confirm allergen safety.
Nutritional Information
Calories 150 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 14 g Protein 8 g per serving approximately 3 pinwheels
Save Enjoy these festive pinwheels as a delightful holiday appetizer sure to please your guests.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I substitute smoked turkey with other proteins?
Yes, smoked chicken or roast beef work well as flavorful alternatives in these pinwheels.
- → What type of tortillas are best to use?
Large spinach or flour tortillas provide flexibility and a soft base for rolling the filling tightly.
- → How do I keep the pinwheels from unraveling?
After rolling, wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before slicing to maintain shape.
- → Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Yes, assembling the pinwheels ahead and chilling them helps flavors meld and eases slicing on the event day.
- → How is the festive tree shape created?
Arrange the sliced pinwheels on a platter narrowing toward the top, use pretzel sticks for the trunk, parsley sprigs as branches, cherry tomatoes as ornaments, and a bell pepper star topper.