Recipes: Hatch Chile Pinwheels

First let me say - TFM has started roasting Hatch Chiles!  This will make your prep work so much easier.  Also, HOT Hatch Chiles arrived in the store this week. Make sure you read the container lable to see if the chiles you are purchasing are hot or mild.  My recipes all use MILD.

The recipe from this weekends tasting follows.  It's a nice appetizer for Labor Day weekend.  You can also make it an after school snack (see Variations below).  These are tasty bites with a little heat.

Hatch Tortilla Pinwheels

8 oz. cream cheese softened

2 c. shredded Manchego, Monterey jack, or Cheddar cheese

1 tsp. Instant Gourmet Grande Southwest seasoning

1 tsp. fresh lime juice

1 to 2 roasted Hatch Chiles, diced

1 stick Daniele Chorizo, peeled* and diced

4 (8”) flour tortillas

In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, cheddar, Southwest seasoning, lime juice, and Hatch Chiles.

Divide mixture among tortillas, spreading to edges of tortilla.  Sprinkle with Chorizo.  Roll up tightly.  Wrap in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate 3 hours (can be refrigerated up to 24 hours).

To serve, cut each roll into 8  ½ -inch thick slices and secure with a pick.  Place on a serving platter.  Serve.

Variations:  Replace Hatch Chiles with sliced TFM Jalapeno Stuffed Green Olives, or add slices of any of the following on top of the cheese mixture before rolling up:  Serrano Ham, your favorite deli ham, turkey, or chicken.

I prepared the Pinwheels this weekend  with shredded New York Cheddar (I wanted the color of yellow cheddar so did not use a white cheddar) and 2 Mild Hatch Chiles.  The 2 chiles gave just the right amount of heat and was not too spicy. To make it hotter add more mild Hatch chilies or use the hot Hatch chiles.  I had the pinwheels wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight.


*TIP:  To peel the Chorizo, run your knife blade down the stick. This will give you an edge to work from and it will peel easily.  If you  don't want to peel the Chorizo, put it in your food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped.