Picnic Perfection: Herb-marinated Fresh Mozzarella Wraps

Fresh ingredients and easy preparation make herb-marinated fresh mozzarella wraps perfect for a leisurely picnic on a warm, sunny day.  So grab a blanket, find that old picnic basket and embrace the outdoorsy you! This recipe is sure to become an instant summertime favorite.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) diced fresh mozzarella cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons Kalamata olives, chopped and pitted
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/4 pound thinly sliced pepper ham
• 16 asparagus spears (about 1/4 pound), steamed and chilled
• 4 (8-inch) whole wheat flour tortillas

Preparation:

1. Combine the first six ingredients in a medium bowl.
2. Cover and chill for two hours.
3. Arrange an ounce of ham and four asparagus spears on each tortilla. Spoon about 1/3 cup cheese mixture over the asparagus and roll up.

Special Notes:

• These wraps can be assembled up to four hours in advance, but keep in mind that tortillas absorb moisture the longer they wait.
• Most supermarket deli sections sell pepper ham, but you can substitute regular ham if you’re unable to find it. If you use regular ham, add ¼ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper to the cheese as it marinates.

Nutritional Information:
Amount per serving

• Calories: 230
• Calories from fat: 30 percent
• Fat: 7.7 g
• Saturated fat: 3.5 g
• Monounsaturated fat: 3.2 g
• Polyunsaturated fat: 0.5 g
• Protein: 13.4 g
• Carbohydrate: 26.7 g
• Fiber: 1.8 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Iron: 1.9 mg
• Sodium: 862 mg
• Calcium: 130 mg

This recipe is courtesy of Cooking Light (April 2001).