Grape Leaves with Beef and Goat Cheese

By courtneyepowell

Ingredients

• 1/4 pound lean ground beef
• 2 T olive oil
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 t chopped fresh thyme
• 1 t chopped fresh basil
• 1 t chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 t chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 t kosher salt
• 1/8 t fresh ground pepper
• 1 T fresh lemon juice
• 8 large grape leaves

Preparation

Step 1

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add beef and cook 3-5 mins, until no longer pink. Drain fat and set aside.
2. Heat grill to high. In a large bowl, combine 2 T olive oil, beef, goat cheese, thyme, basil, rosemary, parsley, salt, pepper and lemon juice. Taste and add more olive oil if desired.
3. On a work surface, place two grape leaves lengthwise, side by side and halfway overlapping. Scoop a heaping spoonful of goat cheese mixture into the center. Fold the left side over the filling, then the right side; starting from the bottom, gently roll up into a packet. Brush with olive oil and set aside. Continue with remaining leaves and filling.
4. Place packets seam side down onto the hot grill and cook 1 min; turn and cook 1 min more or until cheese is soft. Serve immediately.