Single Leaf Winery

7480 Fairplay Road

Somerset, California 95684

530-620-3545

Bleu Cheese Italian Meatballs

***Meatballs:

4 slices wheat bread

½ cup water

2 eggs

1 pound ground sirloin

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

Dash of pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

Soak the slices of bread in water for 2-3 minutes or until water is absorbed. Add the eggs and mix well. Add the ground sirloin, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, oregano and pepper to this mixture.

With wet hands, form meat mixture into small balls, yielding about 24. Brown meatballs over medium heat in a heavy skillet and mix with sauce.

Bleu Cheese Sauce:

½ cup butter

1-2 cloves of garlic, minced

½ cup flour

2 cups Half & Half

1 cup chicken broth

16 ounces Bleu cheese, crumbled

Melt butter until browning around the edges. Add garlic and simmer until soft. Lightly flour the simmering mixture and let stand until flour has been fully absorbed. Add Half & Half and bring mixture to boil. Slowly incorporate the chicken broth and bleu cheese. Once mixture has again reached a boil, reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until thickened.

Combine meatballs and blue cheese sauce and serve warm.

***Packaged meatballs can be substituted, making this delicious appetizer even easier.