Holidays definitely mean getting together with friends and family. And where friends and family gather, you'll definitely find the party foods. However, sometimes all the holiday fare can break the bank. This week's column features two very inexpensive ways to show your creativity with an appetizer spread that's budget friendly.

No matter how you slice them, appetizer spirals pack a bang for the buck. Using large 10-inch tortillas, a plethora of flavors can change the look and taste of a very simple, yet impressive appetizer. My favorites - Italian, Smoked Turkey and Roast Beef - are included below. However, you can combine any combination of meat, cheese and spread to develop your own favorites.

My holiday confetti dip is simple, hearty and spicy. If you have one of those giant crock pots, double the recipe to serve a crowd. Happy eating!

Holiday Appetizer Spirals

Each of the recipes below starts with the same basic elements. Feel free to add or delete ingredients as you choose. Each wrap will produce about 10-12 appetizer spirals, depending on the thickness of each slice. To assemble wraps, place a generous sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface. Place tortilla on plastic, making sure that there is at least two inches of excess plastic wrap on each side. Top tortilla with spiral ingredients, then, tightly roll into a log. Next, very, very tightly roll tortilla roll in plastic wrap, twisting ends tightly and placing in a gallon size ziptop plastic bag. Repeat until all wraps are made. Important: refrigerate over night. Remove spirals from refrigerator right before serving. On a cutting board, slice each wrap into -inch slices.

Place on serving platter and plump wrap to make it a complete circle.
                        Spirals
1/4 lb. paper thin sliced hard salami
1/4 lb. very thinly sliced provolone
cheese
4 oz. cream cheese
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 small can chopped black olives,
drained very well
3 10-inch flour tortillas
  Combine cream cheese with spices.
Layer in this order on each tortilla:
cream cheese, salami, black olives,
provolone and another extremely thin
layer of cream cheese. Roll, refrigerate,
slice and serve as directed.

    Smoked           Turkey         Spirals
1/4 lb. paper thin sliced smoked turkey
breast
1/4 lb. havarti or farmer's cheese, very
thinly sliced
6 sweet pickle spears (I use Shechler's
orange pickles)
4 oz. cream cheese
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
black pepper to taste
3 10-inch flour tortillas

Combine seasonings and pepper with cream cheese. Layer in this order: cream cheese, turkey, cheese, more cream cheese. Place pickle at edge of tortilla and roll up to allow pickle to be the center of the wrap. Roll, refrigerate, slice and serve as directed.
    Spicy       Roast       Beef     Spirals
1/4 lb. paper thin sliced roast beef
1/4 lb. paper thin sliced Swiss cheese
4 or 5 large pieces of leaf lettuce (I use
butter lettuce or curly endive)
4 oz. cream cheese
2 T. sour cream
1 tsp. prepared horseradish (more if
you like it hot)
salt and pepper to taste
  Wash and drain lettuce well. Completely
        remove all water and set aside.
Combine cream cheese, sour cream,
horseradish and salt and pepper. Layer
in this order: Cream cheese, roast beef,
cheese, lettuce. Roll, refrigerate, slice
and serve as directed.

        Holiday           Confetti           Dip
1   lb.   ground   beef   or   ground   hot
sausage
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
1 can black beans
1 can whole kernel corn
1 medium onion, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 T. fresh chopped cilantro

Brown ground beef or sausage and thoroughly drain. Toss in crock pot with remaining ingredients and serve warm with tortilla chips. If desired, you may add 1 lb. Velveeta to make a cheesy confetti dip.