Chef Ivan Flowers—5-Star Chef and Culinary Instructor—returns to Big Blend Radio’s “Eat, Drink & Be Merry” Show to share a festive, crowd-pleasing appetizer: Holiday Ham Spirals. Perfect for entertaining, this recipe highlights how simple techniques and creative flavor combinations can elevate holiday cooking.
In this episode, Chef Ivan breaks down the versatility of roulades, the role of pickling in enhancing flavor and texture, and how using unexpected ingredients can make a dish memorable. The conversation also explores cultural influences in cooking, budget-friendly meal planning, sustainable kitchen practices, and the joy of cooking together during the holidays.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or looking for an easy appetizer with wow factor, this episode proves that anyone can cook—and have fun doing it.
Chef Ivan’s Holiday Ham Spirals Recipe
Serves 4
1/4 lb. Smoked ham, thinly sliced
4 oz. Boursin
6 Red seedless grapes, thinly sliced
1 Roma tomato, thinly sliced
1/4 cup Red Onion, minced
6 Leaves fresh basil
Sriracha
Lay out slice of ham. Spread Boursin evenly on slice. Place tomato slices on bottom third of ham. Top with grape slices, then sprinkle red onion. Finally, place basil leaves on top of onion.
Roll up ham & cut into thirds.
Top each roll with dot of Sriracha.
