I need to make an appetizer for a 4th of July cookout. Does anyone have a recipe for refried bean pinwheels?

Question

I want to make them WITHOUT cream cheese and/or sour cream. I feel they will last longer in the heat. I can't find a recipe that omits those two items. Has anyone ever made them with just the refried beans(green chilies, salsa, green onions and Monterey Jack cheese)and had them come out OK?

Answer 1

I have made very similar appetizers. I use canned bean dip (the spicier the better), Top with green onions, chiles, tomatos and lettuce (ok so maybe no lettuce if you're worried about the heat), jack cheese, roll up, cut and yum!

Answer 2

Pinto Bean Pinwheel Appetizers

1 can (16 ounces) fat-free refried pinto beans
4 teaspoons taco seasoning mix
4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1 cup finely shredded mild Cheddar cheese
4 green onions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Place refried beans and taco seasoning in bowl and stir until combined. Spread flour tortillas to the edges with bean mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese. Lay one green onion in the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortillas jelly-roll style. Trim the rounded ends of each roll so the edges are straight. Slice each roll into 6 slices using a sawing motion. Place pinwheels in a single layer in a 9" x 13" pan. Bake uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Cool slightly, then transfer to serving platter.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Yield: 24 pinwheels
Serving size: 2 pinwheels

or another option:

Cool Refried Bean Pinwheels
(Serves 8 or more)

You can make this an hour or two ahead of time, then cover with plastic wrap and keep at room temperature until needed.

One 16-ounce can spicy fat-free refried beans
4 rectangular lavash wraps, lightly warmed
Soy mayonnaise, as needed
2 to 3 plum tomatoes, very thinly sliced
2 roasted red peppers (from a jar), drained
well and very thinly sliced
Finely shredded lettuce, as needed
Cherry tomatoes and black olives for garnish
Heat the refried beans in a saucepan with about 1/4-cup of water, just until they are warm (not hot) and smooth.

Spread the wraps thinly with the mayonnaise, then with the refried beans. Top with a single layer of tomatoes, then of the peppers, placed here and there, followed by an even sprinkling of the lettuce

Answer 3

I think the purpose of the cream cheese is to help hold the shape of the pinwheel, but not sure about sour cream serving the same purpose.

I don't see why you couldn't do without it, but if you are unsure here are some recipe ideas that may help:

Refried Bean Roll-Ups
http://www.bettycrocker.com/Recipes/Recipe.aspx?recipeId=35631

Taco Roll-Ups
http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50287

Pita bread bean rollups
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/10869/pita+bread+bean+rollups
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Another idea that may work is to lay your tortillas flat, spread one with refried beans, then lay on another tortilla, spread more beans (thinly), add some salsa, now another tortilla, then more beans and some shredded cheese, then another tortilla and beans with green onions and/or black olives, then slice into wedges, like a mini pizza bite. Might work also.

Anyway, good luck, hope I helped some!

Answer 4

I have made them without cream and without cheese (I have vegan friends) and they came out great.There is even a great recipe that uses Tofu cream cheese:
Vegan Pinwheels
4- 12 inch whole wheat tortillas
2- 8ounce packages of Tofutti cream cheese, at room temperature
2 green onions (scallions), minced
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
1 can pitted black olives, drained and sliced
1/2 teaspoon fresh herbs (such as parsley, dill or cilantro) * I used dill
fresh black pepper
In a large bowl mix all ingredients. Spread mixture evenly onto tortilla leaving about an inch of room around the edge of the edge you are rolling toward. After rolling is complete, tightly wrap tortillas in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight. Remove right before serving and slice into one inch pieces!

** an additional 1/2 teaspoon of herbs can be added if you would like before mixing.

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Enjoy!