Grape Leaf Tacos

Get ready to eat with your hands and get messy! These aren't your ordinary Mexican tacos, and much more exotic tasting. I made this recipe specifically to be able to eat Grape Leaf, which is full of nutrition (please see hyperlink). I particularly appreciate the grape leaf's anti-inflammatory properties, not to mention other great healing properties of this precious plant. Native Americans and Greeks have been eating and using this plant for medicinal reasons for thousands of years. Thank you Mother Earth for giving us this plant full of healing.  

Ingredients

1/2 cup of cooked rice

1 pound of grass-fed lean ground beef 

1/2 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves minced

1/3 cup parsley chopped

1/2 orange pepper chopped

1 tablespoon of olive oil

1 jar of grape leaves 

Spices

1/2 Teaspoon of Garam Masala

1/2 Teaspoon of cumin

1/2 Teaspoon of ground black pepper

1/2 Teaspoon of sea salt 

First, cook the rice in a separate pan. Next, on medium heat sauté onions in the olive oil until translucent. I like to use my iron skillet because it always adds flavor. Add the ground beef with a splash of water to get it cooking while mixing it with the onions. Once the meat is cooked, lower the heat to low, adding the spices, garlic, parsley and orange bell pepper. Continue cooking on low for 5-8 more minutes tossing all ingredients together.  

Turn off heat and add cooked rice to the mixture in the pan. More salt might be need for taste. 

Next take the grape leaves out of jar, and rinse them, as they usually are preserved in brine water. Pat dry the grape leaves and place them on the plate. Finally serve a spoonful onto each leaf. This can all be done at the table with a communal dish in the middle of the table. 

This dish is not likely to be served at a dinner party, but to be eaten with family, so you can laugh and enjoy these exotic beauties without feeling embarrassed to eat with your hands! 

Dish serves 4 people with 9 small tacos each. 

Good Health to you!