Kidlet Lunch Idea: Cream Cheese and Ham Pinwheels

August 12, 2011 14 Comments

cream cheese pinwheels with chives and ham

The kidlets and I have been experimenting with lunch options lately, in anticipation of the Little Lady starting preschool.  This Bento Lunch (packed in a simple sandwich box) is full of the Little Lady’s favorites: baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, blueberries, a few cheese butterflies . . . and her NEW love — Cream Cheese and Ham Pinwheels.

This is one of those recipes that probably everyone has in their back pockets. . . and the possibilities for ingredients are endless, as shown by this spicy tortilla roll up.  My mother used to make a variation of them for every Church potluck, shower and gathering when we were kids.  They are incredibly simple and, I’ll say it again, the ways you can go with this idea are limitless (heck … cream cheese and blueberries for breakfast pinwheels?).

The Little Lady has had these pinwheels in a few lunches now, and, each time, she devours them first . . . before anything else.  Even before the tomatoes.  THAT, my friends, is proof-positive that we have a hit on our hands.

Cream Cheese and Ham Pinwheels

 Ingredients

  1. 1 Burrito Sized Tortilla (flour, whole wheat, spinach, etc.)
  2. 2-3 TB of Cream Cheese
  3. 1 TB fresh Chives, chopped
  4. 1 slice of deli Black Forest Ham

 Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and chives together until the chives are evenly distributed in the cheese.
  2. Using a knife, spread the mixture over one side of the tortilla.
  3. Place the ham slice in the center of cheese/tortilla. If your deli cut the ham thickly, you can get by with half a slice of ham for easier rolling.
  4. Starting from an end that has cream cheese on it (but no ham), begin rolling the tortilla toward the other side. Roll gently but tightly.
  5. Place the rolled tortilla on a cutting board or large plate and cut off the ends so that you are left with an even tortilla “log-roll”. (I save the ends for my lunches)
  6. Next, cut the roll into even slices (around 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick).
  7. The slices can be placed, flat or on their sides, in a sandwich box — or, they can be skewered on appetizer picks.

Notes

My mom’s version of these used green onions, finely chopped black olives, and dried ham — which were all mixed into the cream cheese.  You could also try different meat, freshly cracked black pepper, etc.

Preparation time: 5-7 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 2

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About Rachel Lacy

Rachel Lacy is the author of Following In My Shoes, where she blogs about Mommyhood, Family-Friendly Recipes and Bento Lunches, and Life in Texas. She is a lover of all things Coffee and Nutella. Connect with Rachel Lacy on Google+ and stop by the Following In My Shoes Facebook page.

Comments

  1. Crystal @ Simply Being Mommy says:
    August 12, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    Um, yummy! Can you make me lunch too? ;)

    Reply
  2. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) says:
    August 12, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    That is the best looking packed lunch! I need to make Julia’s look like that and maybe she’d eat it.

    Reply
  3. Stefani says:
    August 12, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    What a great mix of food. The pinwheels sounds super good right now. I usually make them with olives, shredded cheese and chilies. I am going to have to try them with ham one of these days.

    YUMMY!

    Reply
  4. Jenn says:
    August 12, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    Perfect, well-balanced little lunch. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Beeb Ashcroft says:
    August 12, 2011 at 8:36 pm

    Bento lunches are so cool! This sounds good.

    Reply
  6. Robin @ Blommi says:
    August 13, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    Cute bento :)

    Reply
  7. Dee @ Cocktails with Mom says:
    August 13, 2011 at 1:09 pm

    OHH that looks like a well balanced lunch. My kids would really go for that.

    Reply
  8. Tricia says:
    August 13, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    These r my absolutely favorite delicious. Thanks for the recipe

    Reply
  9. Louise says:
    August 13, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    OH that looks so yummy!

    Reply
  10. Shelley (@momma_oz) says:
    August 15, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    I love this… so simple and easy and will DEF make appearances this school year for lunches…

    Reply
  11. Nicole says:
    August 17, 2011 at 4:10 am

    Wow! I want to have that bento lunch too! Your little lady really eats vegetables. And the Cream Cheese and Ham Pinwheels looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!

    Reply
  12. Barbie says:
    September 12, 2011 at 11:51 am

    I just received the “Easy Lunch Boxes” and was looking for recipes for my kids’ lunches. I know they will love this one! Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Shannon says:
    September 25, 2012 at 2:58 pm

    I love pinwheels. When I was a kid, we only got them at baby showers! I craved them all of the time and the Little Lady is so lucky to have them as a school lunch. :)

    Reply

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