Rule #130: The best things in life are usually the simplest.
When I was in college, one of my roommates would make these yummy jalapeno roll ups at least twice a week. Four of us would share a big plate of these and dish about the day. Every time I make these, I remember sitting in the dorm room and feeling a little sense of family away from home. I love how easy this appetizer is! All you need is sliced deli ham, cream cheese, and jarred jalapeños. I made a big plate of these the morning of Brooke’s birthday party and set them out once guests arrived. Easy, peasy, ham and cheesy.
First, drain a jar of sliced jalapeños.
Getchya some sliced deli ham (I love the Boar’s head Honey Smoked Ham). I usually buy a pound and make a bunch at a time. Perfect for these Ham Cheese and Jalapeno Roll Ups!
Spread on some cream cheese. I usually always buy Neufchatel which is the 1/3 less fat cream cheese.
Place the jalapeños along the edge of the ham, then slice the roll-ups into equal (ish) sized pieces.
Roll-up those cuties and shove a toothpick in ’em.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
And voila! Party food at its finest. Make these the night before or the morning of your next party (football, anyone?), and you’re all set! I also love that these little roll-ups are low carb. I feel WAY less guilty shoving about 82 of these in my mouth than I do when I’m anywhere near the ole chips and queso.
This is really an “un-recipe” in my opinion. There’s not much to it, but I decided to go ahead and type up a printable one anyway! Sometimes I forget about the easy things when I’m planning a menu. I like to have printable recipes to remind myself that keeping it simple is just fine. I hope you love these Ham Cheese and Jalapeno Roll Ups!
Ham, Cheese, and Jalapeño Roll-Ups
1 lb. honey smoked deli ham
Neufchatel (1/3-less-fat) cream cheese
1 jar sliced jalapeños, drained
Spread the cream cheese all over a slice of ham. Place jalapeños along one edge of the ham. Slice the ham into equal-ish sized slices. Starting on the edge with the jalapeño, roll-up the ham, then insert a toothpick so the rolls stay in place. Repeat with remaining ham.
These can be made the night before or the morning before you serve them. Keep them covered in plastic wrap and in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.