Mozarella Sticks
INGREDIENTS
16 oz block whole milk Mozzarella cheese (String cheese works but has a different texture)
1/2 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Cornstarch
2 Cups Italian style Bread Crumbs OR 2 Cups Panko, 2 Tbsp Seasoned Salt, & 3 tsp dried Italian Herbs
5 large Eggs
1/2 tsp Salt
2 Tbsp Water
Tallow (beef fat) (or other deep frying fat of choice)
METHOD
1. Cut the block of Cheese into 1/2 inch thick sticks, a few inches tall (around 20 pieces).
2. Thoroughly combine Flour and Cornstarch in a shallow bowl.
3. In a separate bowl, add the Eggs, Salt, and 1 tablespoon of Water. Whisk to combine.
4. In another separate bowl, place the Bread Crumbs.
5. Take a Cheese Stick and thoroughly coat it in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then coat it in the bread crumbs, shake off the excess, and place on a tray. Repeat with the remaining cheese sticks.
6. Once each cheese stick has been breaded, take each one through the egg and bread crumbs again for a second coating, at a minimum. (Be sure to skip the flour mixture in this step.)
7. Freeze the mozzarella sticks, on the tray, for at least for two hours.
8. Heat the tallow or frying fat of choice to 365F, using either a deep fryer or a heavy bottomed 8" saucepan monitored with a thermometer. You want the fat to come a few inches up the sides of the pan.
9. Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches for about 2 minutes, until golden brown.
10. Let the cheese sticks drain briefly on a paper towel, then serve promptly with marinara or your favorite dunking sauce.