This has been a very chaotic and busy week in the 3M household (soccer, choir concerts, driver’s licenses, senior pictures, doctor appointments), so it’s only fitting that we’re sticking with an old reliable of sorts. When you’re busy, what do you do? You fall back on something you know, and that you know you’ll like.
Mrs 3M likes to make pinwheels for our spread, and we have several very easy alternatives that are about as difficult as making a sandwich (spread flavored cream cheese, ham/turkey, and shredded cheddar cheese in a torilla, roll it up, wrap it up, let it sit/chill, slice, and serve), as well as some that require a little more prep work. One of our favorites is the Southwest Pinwheel.
INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel (light) or regular cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons light sour cream
1 (10 ounce) can RoTel Tomatoes, drained
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt (like Lawry's)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
5 green onions, thinly sliced
1 (2.25 ounce) can chopped olives (REALLY optional)
1 jalapeno, seeded as desired and diced (optional)
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
5 large burrito size flour tortillas or wraps in assorted flavors
DIRECTIONS
Use a mixer to combine cream cheese, sour cream, diced tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings. Use a spoon to stir in cheese, green onion, olives (if you're gross like that), jalapeno (if using), and shredded chicken.
Divide mixture between the tortillas, spreading out evenly leaving about a 1/2" border at the edge. Roll up tightly. Wrap rollups tightly in plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour or until ready to serve.
Remove from refrigerator and use a sharp knife to slice into 2" pieces.
And, since everyone likes free stuff, how about a bonus recipe? According to the motion picture masterpiece Wedding Crashers, Maryland apparently does two things – crab cakes and football. Since it seems that now they're down to crab cakes, we'll pay homage. So, here’s a way to enjoy some seafood in a simple tailgate way.
Crabmeat Pinwheels
INGREDIENTS
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup cocktail sauce
1 (8 ounce) package imitation crabmeat, chopped
1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
1/4 cup chopped green onion
4 (8 inch) flour tortillas
DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese and cocktail sauce until well blended. Stir in crabmeat, Swiss cheese, and green onion. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture onto each tortilla, and roll up tightly. Wrap each tortilla in plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Slice rolls into 1/2 inch circles, and arrange on a serving tray with a bowl of cocktail sauce for dipping.
PRO TIP (Edit courtesy of Fatpants): The key to serving good pinwheels is to let them properly chill, then cut them with a razor sharp knife.
Hope everyone enjoys these easy tailgate appetizers – they go great with any spread!
Fall is upon us, hope to see everyone back here next week for something a little heartier.
Previous Tailgate Fare
Week One: Buffalo Chicken Dip
Week Two: Chicken Tacos
Week Three: The World's Greatest Veggie Dip
Week Four: Jalapeno Stuffed Pretzel Bombs
Week Five: Turkey Cheddar Kabobs
