Ribbon Dancer Turkey Rolls (Printable Version)

Delicate carrot and cucumber ribbons cradle smoked turkey for a fresh, light, and elegant starter.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large carrots, peeled
02 - 1 large cucumber, ends trimmed

→ Meats

03 - 8 slices smoked turkey breast

→ Dairy (optional)

04 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Fresh Herbs

05 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped

→ Seasoning

07 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, slice the carrots and cucumber lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
02 - Lay the smoked turkey slices flat on a clean surface. Optionally, spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each slice and sprinkle with chives and dill.
03 - Starting at one end, roll each turkey slice tightly into a cylinder.
04 - Wrap a cucumber ribbon and then a carrot ribbon around each turkey roll, securing the ends underneath or with a toothpick if needed.
05 - Arrange the ribbon-wrapped turkey rolls on a serving platter. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and extra herbs if desired.
06 - Serve immediately, or cover and chill until ready to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like restaurant-quality elegance but takes barely twenty minutes, so you can genuinely impress people without stress.
  • The ribbon wrapping means you get texture play in every bite—crisp vegetables against tender turkey—and it feels playful to eat.
02 -
  • Ribbons must be thin enough to wrap without breaking but thick enough to hold together, which means using a consistent hand pressure on your peeler.
  • If you're making these ahead, keep them in the fridge and add the final pepper garnish only right before serving, or it'll look gray and tired by the time people eat them.
03 -
  • Chill your vegetables for thirty minutes before peeling to make them firmer and easier to ribbon without breaking.
  • If you don't have a mandoline, a sharp vegetable peeler works just as well—it just takes a little longer and your hands might cramp, but the result is the same.
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