Homemade Mozzarella Sticks

Ever since I was a kid, I had a food obsession with mozzarella sticks served with marinara sauce for dipping. There's something about the crunchy coating with the gooey cheesy inside that makes an amazing appetizer, and in my opinion one of the perfect finger foods.

With that being said, here's a great (and easy) recipe that I found to make your own homemade mozzarella sticks:

http://noshingwiththenolands.com/mozzarella-cheese-sticks/

Ingredients:

16 string cheese sticks

1/2 cup flour

1/2 tsp. Emeril’s Essence

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cups panko crumbs

1 Tbsp. dried parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Canola oil for frying

Dipping sauce

19 oz. can tomato sauce

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper or to taste

1 tsp. Italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

Emeril’s Essence

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together for Emeril’s spice. You will think of a million things to put it into.

Unwrap cheese sticks and cut them in half. Using three bowls for dipping, place the flour and Emeril’s Essence in the first bowl. Beat the eggs with the milk in the second bowl and then in the third bowl add the panko crumbs, parsley and salt and pepper to taste. Now start to dip the cheese sticks. First in the flour, then egg and finally panko. Place them on a cookie sheet and freeze for 20-30 min. I think I may keep some of these in the freezer. Great appetizer for kids and adults alike. Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a small sauce pan and add the garlic and saute for 1 min. Add the tomato sauce, red pepper, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Simmer 15 min. Heat a few inches of the canola oil in a wok or large deep frying pan. Place sticks in the oil and fry to golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry them in batches. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Serve with the tomato sauce immediately.

Enjoy!

I cannot wait to make these rather than getting them store bought for my next family dinner. Fresh is always better than frozen.

Take Care,

Leanne.