Cheese And Veggie Wrap: The Perfect Pairing

A veggie wrap is a delicious and nutritious option for a quick meal. The wrap can be made with a variety of ingredients, including different types of cheese, vegetables, and sauces. For the cheese, popular options include cheddar, feta, mozzarella, and pepper jack. The choice of vegetables is versatile, ranging from cucumbers and bell peppers to spinach and alfalfa sprouts. The sauces or spreads used can be hummus, cream cheese, or guacamole, adding flavour and helping to hold the wrap together. With so many possible combinations, veggie wraps are a great choice for a satisfying and customizable meal.

Herbed cream cheese, Havarti, and colourful vegetables

Veggie wraps are a great option for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. They are perfect for lunches, picnics, dinners, and even on-the-go meals. The combination of herbed cream cheese, Havarti cheese, and colourful vegetables makes for a tasty and nutritious wrap. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating this delightful dish:

Ingredients:

• Tortillas (flour or whole wheat)
• Herbed Cream Cheese
• Havarti Cheese (thinly sliced)
• Lettuce Leaves
• Tomatoes (thinly sliced)
• Cucumbers (thinly sliced)
• Carrots (julienned or grated)
• Optional: Sprouts, Avocado, Radishes, Spinach, etc.

Step 1: Prepare the Tortillas

Lay out your tortillas on a flat surface. You can use flour or whole wheat tortillas, depending on your preference. Spread about 2 tablespoons of herbed cream cheese on each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.

Step 2: Add the Lettuce and Vegetables

Place 2 lettuce leaves in the middle of each tortilla. On top of the lettuce, arrange your sliced tomatoes in a single row. You can also add other vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, and sprouts. Feel free to get creative and use your favourite veggies!

Step 3: Add the Cheese

Layer thinly sliced Havarti cheese on top of the vegetables. Havarti is a great choice for its mild, buttery flavour, but you can also use other cheeses like cheddar, feta, or mozzarella.

Step 4: Roll and Serve

Now, carefully roll the tortilla to enclose the fillings. Wrap the roll tightly in plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate until serving time. Slice the wrap in half and enjoy!

Tips and Variations:

• Customise your veggies: You can use any combination of vegetables that you like. Try zucchini, roasted bell peppers, black olives, red onions, or roasted sweet potatoes.
• Add protein: Make your wrap more filling by adding chicken, steak, shrimp, eggs, beans, or a scoop of tuna salad.
• Toast the wrap: If you want a golden-brown crust, toast the assembled wrap in a dry skillet over medium heat.
• Dress it up: Drizzle your favourite salad dressing on top or serve it on the side for dipping.
• Keep it dry: Soggy wraps are not appealing, so try to keep the ingredients as dry as possible. Also, if you're making it ahead of time, the tortilla will absorb moisture from the fillings.
• Don't overstuff: Choose a few complementary ingredients and avoid overloading your wrap.

Monterey Jack, Cheddar, cucumber, bell pepper, and alfalfa sprouts

Veggie Wrap with Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Cucumber, Bell Pepper, and Alfalfa Sprouts

Ingredients

• 4 (7 or 8-inch) whole wheat or flour tortillas
• 2 tablespoons purchased sandwich spread (or hummus, cream cheese, mustard, or guacamole)
• 4 (1-oz.) slices hot pepper Monterey Jack cheese
• 4 (1-oz.) slices Cheddar cheese
• 1 small cucumber, very thinly sliced
• 1 small red or green bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts

Optional Ingredients

• Chicken
• Steak
• Shrimp
• Tuna Salad
• Cooked quinoa
• Baked rice
• Chickpeas
• Black beans
• Hard-boiled eggs

Method

• Spread each tortilla with 1 1/2 teaspoons of sandwich spread or your chosen alternative, keeping within 1 inch of the edges.
• Top with the cheese, cucumber, bell pepper, and alfalfa sprouts.
• Roll up each tortilla and wrap in plastic wrap.
• Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for later.

Tips

• Keep the ingredients as dry as possible to prevent a soggy wrap.
• If you want to add a protein, such as chicken or shrimp, consider eating the wrap immediately as it may become soggy over time.
• If you want to toast the wrap, heat a skillet over medium heat and add a dab of butter or olive oil. Then, brown the wrap lightly on all sides.

Hummus, sliced cheese, and crisp vegetables

Veggie wraps are a perfect meal for when you're on the go or at home. They're incredibly versatile, simple to make, and can be made ahead of time.

Wrap

You can use a simple flour tortilla or get creative with a spinach or tomato wrap, or a low-carb wrap. For a no-carb option, use a sturdy lettuce leaf or an egg white wrap.

Spread

Hummus is a great choice for a spread as it adds protein and flavour and helps keep the wrap together. You can use plain hummus or go for something with more flavour like roasted red pepper hummus.

Sliced Cheese

There are many options for sliced cheese, including provolone, sharp cheddar, and pepper Jack. If you prefer a crumbled cheese, try feta, blue cheese, or gorgonzola.

Veggies

Choose crisp, thinly sliced veggies like radishes, cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, and carrots. Chopped tomatoes are great, but be aware that watery vegetables like tomatoes can make your wrap soggy if you're preparing it ahead of time. You can also try olives, capers, sprouts, roasted peppers, or pickled red onions for a savoury touch.

Leafy Greens

Any tender leafy green will work, but baby spinach is a great option.

Assembly

First, prep your vegetables by washing and drying them thoroughly. You don't want your wrap to be watery. It's best to thinly slice, julienne, or shred your veggies to make it easier to roll.

Spread the hummus on your wrap, leaving a small border so it doesn't ooze out. Layer on the sliced cheese and veggies, and finish with the spinach. Don't pile the fillings too high, or it will be hard to roll.

To roll, make a small fold on the bottom to hold in the fillings, then roll the wrap from one side to the other. Secure it with a toothpick or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap if you're on the go.

Serving

Veggie wraps are best served immediately or on the same day. If you're preparing them ahead of time, avoid watery vegetables and use drier spreads like cream cheese or bean spreads instead of hummus or guacamole. Wrap them tightly and store them in the fridge for up to a couple of days.

Vegan cream cheese, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, cucumber, and red onion

Ingredients

• Vegan cream cheese
• Spinach
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Tomato
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Flour tortillas

Method

• Spread the vegan cream cheese on the flour tortillas.
• Layer the veggies in whatever proportions you like.
• Sprinkle with a good amount of salt and pepper to taste and wrap.
• Cut in half and serve.

Tips

• For a gluten-free option, use corn tortillas or a lettuce wrap.
• Try adding avocado for extra flavour.
• If you're not vegan, regular cream cheese can be used instead.

Cream cheese, cumin, lettuce, bell pepper, mushrooms, cucumber, green onions, and pepper Jack cheese

Veggie Wrap Ideas

Veggie wraps are a great option for a quick, healthy, and delicious meal. They are perfect for lunches, picnics, or light dinners and can be made ahead of time. Here is a suggested combination of ingredients for a veggie wrap: cream cheese, cumin, lettuce, bell pepper, mushrooms, cucumber, green onions, and pepper Jack cheese.

Cream Cheese

Start with a base of cream cheese, which will act as a spread to help hold the wrap together. You can use plain cream cheese or get creative with different flavors such as chive and onion, vegetable, or herb cream cheese. If you want to make it vegan, opt for dairy-free cream cheese.

Cumin

Mix the cream cheese with cumin and a pinch of salt to add a savory and slightly earthy flavor to your wrap. This spice blend will elevate the taste of the vegetables and cheese.

Lettuce

Add a couple of small lettuce leaves to your wrap to provide a crunchy texture and a fresh taste. You can use iceberg lettuce, butter lettuce, or romaine lettuce, depending on your preference.

Bell Pepper

Thinly slice a red bell pepper and add it to your wrap for a burst of color and a sweet, mild flavor. Bell peppers are also a great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Mushrooms

Include some sliced fresh mushrooms in your wrap for an earthy, umami flavor. Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin D.

Cucumber

Add some thinly sliced cucumber to your wrap for a refreshing crunch. Cucumbers are mild in flavor, so they won't overpower the other ingredients, and they also provide hydration and important nutrients.

Green Onions

Chop up some green onions and sprinkle them into your wrap for a mild onion flavor and a pop of color. Green onions also add a bit of texture and a source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Pepper Jack Cheese

Finally, add some shredded pepper Jack cheese to your wrap for a spicy kick. The pepper Jack will melt slightly and bring all the ingredients together.

Once you have assembled your wrap, roll it up tightly and secure it with plastic wrap or toothpicks. You can also toast the wrap in a skillet for a golden-brown crust. Enjoy your delicious and nutritious veggie wrap!

Frequently asked questions