Mozzarella Sticks

I feel guilty because I haven’t posted in awhile. Yes, there have been times when it’s taken me over a week to post, but usually it’s because I’m working on something and I have a recipe waiting in the wings.

Recently, I’ve had nothing! I’m in an inspirational drought. I don’t know what I want to cook next. My excuses are first, that I’m obsessed with the Momofuku Milk Bar cookbook, but I don’t want to just post a thousand cookie recipes from one book. And second, being a real working person is getting to me. Oh, I still cook throughout the week – but I’m trying to hone my 3-4 best after-work-doesn’t-take-that-long-meals. And when I do get those down, I’ll be sure to share. But I haven’t been making anything I find truly exciting.

So I’ve got cookers block. Is that a thing? Maybe. I think it’s like writer’s block, but instead I don’t know what to cook. If anyone has any suggestions of something for me to try I’d be happy to know it.

Until I come out of cookers block, here’s a delicious and simple recipe for homemade mozzarella sticks. I made them once and Ryan, our friends Shane and Anna, and I devoured them. They were so good and it didn’t even bother us that we basically downed a whole package of Polly-O string cheese. But, there’s not much that’s better than melty hot cheese and it’s football season again so this is a perfect snack for Sundays.

Ingredients: 

Package of mozzarella cheese sticks (you could also definitely use balls, or cut discs from a log of cheese. You just need bite sized pieces)

2 Eggs

1/4 cup water

2/3 cup flour

1/3 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 cup Italian seasoning bread crumbs

Vegetable Oil

Directions:

1. Heat a deep fryer filled with vegetable oil to 350°. Or heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet until it’s very hot.

2. Mix the flour and cornstarch in a separate bowl.

3.  Beat the two eggs and water in a bowl.

4. In a third bowl, pour in the bread crumbs.

5.  Take all of your cheese sticks and unwrap them. If you’re using Polly-O, then cut the sticks in half across the equator (so NOT long). If you’re using something else, just make sure you’ve got bite size strips, cubes, or balls.

6. Coat the cheese in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs.

7. Put in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown. It takes about 45 seconds. If you’re using a skillet, you may have to rotate them so all sides get brown.

8. Let drain either in the fry basket, or on some paper towels. 

9. Eat it all immediately.

Messy Level – Medium. This is medium because of all the dipping in different bowls. Your fingers will be coated just like the mozzarella sticks. And inevitably, there is flour, egg, and bread crumbs all over the counter. Also, if you’re using a deep fryer sometimes the cheese leaks out and gets stuck in the fry basket so clean up can be a pain. What’s great about this recipe is it’s quick and doesn’t require too many dishes.