Do you ever need a simple quick appetizer that would be suitable for children as well as a hit with the adults? What about those with restrictive diets? Ham Roll-ups are quick, simple to make, and doesn’t require much in the way of prep time or ingredients. This recipe is also nut, shellfish, egg, and gluten free. It does however contain dairy, meat, and possible preservatives. However, I have included alternatives to help those with more restrictive diets (vegan, organic, kosher, soy free, dairy free, low sodium, budget friendly, etc). Depending on Diet this can be considered a Low Calorie Recipe. Feeds 5-10. 

What You Will Need:

-2lb of Sliced Honey Ham lunchmeat (or other favorite sliced meat)

Opt for a organic/natural/no preservative lunch meat to negate preservatives

Opt for a less sweet meat to help with the sugar content (chicken is a good example)

Opt for a vegan sliced meat to make this a vegan friendly dish

Opt for a kosher meat for those with religious restrictions 

Opt for your local store brand to help on cost

Opt for a low or sodium free meat to help with salt

(Most Ham doesn’t contain and has not been processed on equipment shared by soy, nut, or wheat, eggs, shellfish, but please check ingredient lists)

-2 blocks of Cream Cheese (regular not whipped, get 4 blocks if you like to be generous with the cream cheese)

Opt for vegan cream cheese to make it vegan 

Opt for natural/organic brand to help keep it healthy and negate preservatives

Opt for a kosher cream cheese to help those with religious restrictions

Opt for your local store brand to help on cost

Opt for a dairy free alternative cream cheese to make this dairy free

(Most Cream Cheese doesn’t contain and has not been processed on equipment shared by soy, nut, egg, shellfish, or wheat. It also shouldn’t have too much sugar or salt, but please read ingredient lists)

-(Optional) Olives (Green or black whole canned 2-4 cans)

Opt for organic to make it organic

Opt for green olives to negate some brands that use dyes and preservatives

Opt for a kosher brand as some olives are not inherently Kosher

Opt for low sodium to help with salt

Opt for store brand to help with cost

(Olives are naturally gluten free, nut free, soy free, egg free, shellfish free, vegan, and dairy free, but please read ingredient lists)

-Toothpicks (only necessary if you use olives, 25-50 count should be good)

Opt for store brand to help with cost

Opt for wood if you want it biodegradable/BPA Free

Opt for tiny plastic swords if you want washable/reusable holders (some are BPA free, but not all)

Opt for tiny stainless steel skewers for washable/reusable/stainless/BPA Free/

Prep Time: 5 min.

Items Needed:

-Butter Knife or Spoon

-Plate to prep on 

-Plate to serve on

-Bowl for cream cheese if microwaving

-bowl for olives if adding

-Toothpicks (optional)

Prep:

1. Wash hands and tools

2. Rinse off the meat to remove excess water and preservatives 

3. Pat dry the meat and place onto a plate

4. Allow the cream cheese to thaw. This can take up to 30min if it has been in the fridge overnight. You can microwave it in a microwave safe bowl (most that are safe are BPA Free please double check) for 15-30 seconds depending on wattage if short on time.

5. If adding olives drain the excess liquid from the can and place into bowl

6. Rinse cans and plastic if recycling or repurposing 

Make Time: 10-30 min.

Make: 

1. Take one slice of the honey ham and lay it flat on the palm of your hand

2. Spread the cream cheese all over it using the butter knife or the back of a spoon

3. If adding olives add 1-2 in the center

4. Roll up the ham

5. Place toothpick to hold if using olives

6. Repeat 1-5 until satisfied or out of ingredients

7. Enjoy

Serving Size: 1 Roll-up

Avg Calories Per Serving (Without Olive): 88 Calories

Avg Calories Per Serving (With Olive): 95 Calories

Cost (based on my local food store including olives and toothpicks): $18.42