Mediterranean Pinwheels

12 (10 inch) flour tortillas
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened at room temperature
8 oz. crumbled feta cheese
2 cucumbers, peeled and sliced very thin
1 jar pitted Kalamata olives, sliced or chopped
2 cups minced tomato

1. Prepare the cucumbers by peeling and slicing thin. Then liberally sprinkle salt over the cucumbers and let the mixture set for about 20 minutes. Then rinse the cucumbers under cold water and drain well. Spread out on towels and blot dry.

2. Spread cream cheese evenly over the tortillas.

3. Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top of the cream cheese.

4. Lay the prepared cucumbers evenly over the feta cheese.

5. Sprinkle the olives, then the tomatoes over the cucumbers.

6. Roll the tortillas into tight logs. Cut the wraps into bite-sized pinwheels and secure with toothpicks, if needed.

7. Place on a baking sheet to store in the refrigerator and wrap the entire pan in plastic wrap. When ready to serve, just place the pinwheels on a serving plate.

Fruit Sampler with Dips

A fruit tray is appreciated by everyone and a sweet complement to the savory pinwheels. You can cut up the fruit yourself (just make sure to sprinkle the fruit with lemon juice to prevent it from turning dark), or you can purchase a fruit tray that already has the fruit cut into bite-size pieces. Offer a couple of dips and you have a hit on your hands. Here’s two of my favorite fruit dips.

Raspberry Dip

1 cup sour cream
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon raspberry extract
1/2 cup fresh raspberries for garnish

1. With an electric mixer, blend the sour cream, cream cheese, powdered sugar and raspberry extract until smooth.

2. Place in a serving bowl and garnish with fresh raspberries.

3. Chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Caramel Dip

1 (8 oz.) pkg cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
8 oz. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. lemon juice
1 cup cold milk
1 (3.4 oz.) pkg. instant vanilla pudding mix

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth.

2. Add the sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice, milk and pudding mix, beating well after each addition.

3. Place in a serving bowl and chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Baked Olive-Cheese Balls

1 cup Cheddar Cheese, Grated
2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Softened
1/2 cup Flour
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

1. Drain olives and pat dry with towels.

2. Combine cheese and butter in a bowl. Add flour and cayenne and blend until well mixed.

3. Drop the dough by tablespoons onto wax paper and wrap or mold each piece of dough around an olive, covering it completely.

4. Place on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator until the party.

5. A half-hour before the party, set the baking sheet out to come to room temperature.

6. Bake in the middle of a preheated 400 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden. Serve warm.