Wow – That’s a Mozzarella Stick!

One thing is certain, the photos hardly do these Fried Mozzarella Sticks justice. I should have photographed one in my hand. Each stick was a third of an 8-ounch block of Mozzarella Cheese.

Mozzarella Sticks are one of those contradictions in Hubby’s culinary habits. He will not eat a burger with cheese. He will order a pizza with extra cheese. He turns his nose up to Tuna Melts with all that gooey melted cheese. While he loves Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Mozzarella Sticks as part of an appetizer platter. It makes no sense.

So why am I serving up Mega Mozzarella Sticks? In all honesty, I’m not. Kiddo got the recipe somewhere on line. He pays rent in many ways, helping around the yard, pitching in with expenses like the soaring cost of food and such. When it’s his turn to do the shopping, he’ll sometimes suggest things like Mega Mozzarella Sticks. This really was his doing, and I played the role of Sous Chef. I must admit it really was fun taking a back seat to Kiddo and letting him run the kitchen while I worked behind the camera. These creamy Mozzarella Sticks were amazingly delicious. Although one stick was all I could handle.

Oh, and one more thing before we get to the project at hand. I want to take a moment to tell my beautiful mother on this her 45th birthday in heaven that I love you so much. She would have been 92 today.

---

Mega Mozzarella Sticks
2 (8 oz) blocks Mozzarella Cheese
2 inches Oil for frying
1/2 cup Flour
4 Eggs, divided
15 oz Panko Breadcrumbs
1 (24 oz) jar Cabernet Marinara Sauce
Cayenne Pepper to taste
Italian Seasoning to taste

Heat oven to 350-degrees. Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet.

Cut each block of Mozzarella Cheese into thirds lengthwise. Set aside.

Heat oil in a high sided pot or deep fryer to medium-high heat. Do not let the oil get too hot or cool down too much. The sticks must first be fried to a beautiful golden brown without becoming too soft to transfer to a baking sheet to finish.

Place flour in a pie tin. In a second pie tin whisk 2 eggs. In the third pie tin place half of the breadcrumbs. Dust the Mozzarella sticks, one at a time in the flour, then roll to coat in the egg, with a coating of breadcrumbs. Don’t forget to flour, egg and bread the ends of each stick. Shake off any excess that might not have stick to the cheese. Repeat a second time in flour, egg and breadcrumbs. Set coated sticks aside. About half way through breading process, add 2 more eggs to the egg tin and the remaining breadcrumbs to the breadcrumb tin.

Working with one stick at a time, lower into the hot oil. Fry about 90 seconds per side, turning to fry evenly. Gently remove from oil; place on a rimmed baking sheet.

Once all the Mozzarella Sticks have been flash-fried, place baking sheet in the oven. Set timer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, rotate the pan, set timer for another 4 minutes or until cheese has fully melted.

Divide the Marinara Sauce into several small serving bowls. Season as desired with Cayenne Pepper and seasonings. Serve sticks fresh from the oven with sauce for dipping.

---

Come! behold the deeds of the LORD,
the astounding things He has wrought on earth.