Breaded Mozzarella Sticks

It is such a sunny beautiful day, I can't believe I am inside writing.  The sun is glorious, the sky is blue, oh...oops, I forgot about that snow part.  It is close to gone, maybe this weekend when we are supposed to get thunder storms, it will finish melting away!  This crazy weather out here. UGH.  So I guess the fact that it is 30 degrees outside keeps my flops in the closet and my shorts in the drawer, but soon friends.......very soon, I will be blogging from the patio! WOOHOO!

Last weekend on my husbands Friday which is actually Saturday, he sent me an email from work with a list of things he wanted to cook over his weekend.  He had even listed out the ingredients we needed to pick up.  Is that supportive or what?  He assured me I had his permission to blog any or all of his projects!  Oh what a mess we made, the songs we sang, the dances we made up and the fun we had!  This is one of the recipes we worked on and made.  So good.....devilishly good!

We had considered making our homemade mozz for this recipe but instead took the easy route and purchased a block of mozz.  I get it at Walmart, because I can't find it in block form anywhere else.  I believe (because I admit I threw the pkg away before I checked) it is a 16oz block.  Let's just go with it, OK?

Here is what you need:
16 ounce block of mozzarella cheese cut into 12 equal size "sticks"
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp garlic powder
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup SEASONED breadcrumbs (panko or regular, I used panko)
peanut oil

In one bowl add flour, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste, mix and set aside.  In another bowl add in 3 eggs, and combine.  You can also add a bit of salt and pepper here as well if you like.  In your last bowl place your breadcrumbs.

Dip your mozzarella stick in flour, dust off, dip in egg mixture, back in the flour, back in the egg and then breadcrumbs.  You are double dipping in the egg and flour for extra seal and crunch!  Prepare all cheese in the same manner and place on a platter.  Now, place in the freezer for at least 1 hour, 2 is better but 1 will work.  In a medium pot, add your peanut oil, 2-3 inches high.  Preheat to 350 degrees F.   Fry 2-3 at a time depending on the size of your pot of oil.  It will take approx 2 minutes per side, more or less depending on your temp and frying set up.  When it is golden brown flip that baby and let the other side tan up too!

Remove and drain on paper towels.  Serve with a side of marinara!! (recipe below)

This is our new go to marinara for dipping or sometimes even pizza sauce
In a small pot combine:

28oz can of tomato sauce
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp dried Italian seasoning
2 tbsp sugar
salt and pepper
red pepper flake (optional)

Let simmer for 3-4 minutes stirring constantly.  Serve!

These turned out beautiful, crispy and luscious!  I mean, fried cheese, how could that EVER be wrong? 

Your "frying madness"chefwannabe

Recipe Swap- Buffalo Chicken Dip

*knock knock*  

Anyone home?  

It seems a little empty around here as of late, eh?  I apologize for my absence.  As most of you know, I got sick, starting the night of my birthday.  It has been 3 days short of 2 solid weeks, coughing, hacking, sleeping, hacking, finally urgent care, then hacking and sleeping some more.  I was sure I had pneumonia or bronchitis but it seems as though it is the mother of all colds.  Really?  I felt like a complete moron going to Urgent Care for a "cold".   At least if I had gone to the ER, I would have been entertained by the wackjobs in there.  Ya know?  Anyway, I am sure I am not dying now, so I claim that as a victory!

So, a new friend, Krista, aka "The Not So Desperate Chef Wife" approached me about doing a recipe swap a few weeks ago.  We would each pick one of each others recipes and make them, and blog them.  What a GREAT idea!!  Oh but wait Krista, you go ahead and make your choice, I am going to sleep, hack and cough for 2 weeks before I finally can muster the energy just to stand up in the kitchen longer than 10 minutes, K?  I am so sorry!!   If you haven't checked Krista out, please do so!   Find her at "The Not So Desperate Chef Wife".  She is so funny, has great recipes, and for you gardener and crafty types, you will find plenty there as well!  

So, here is how I decided what recipe to choose.  I was going through my blog history and noticing what items I felt like I had alot of or not enough of.  I decided I needed some party foods, some appetizers and dips.  Nothing has rattled my bell lately in the way of ideas for new recipes so I thought I would choose one of Krista's and share it with my readers!!  This is such an EASY dip, and you wanna talk about FLAVOR??  Just incredible!  If I were making it for a party, I would likely put it in a small dip crockpotty, thingy mabobber.  Can you believe I even mentioned the "C" word here?!  You all know how I feel about "those" things!  I served this dip with a few different kinds of crackers, but she suggests, and I second the suggestion, of serving it with carrots or celery as well.  My husband was dying for some hot breadsticks to dip in!

Without further delay, here is what you are going to need for this awesome dip!

1 12.5oz can of chunk chicken breast

1 8oz pkg light cream cheese

1/2 cup fat free ranch dressing  (I used regular, and yes mine is upside down so I could use up that bottle!)

1/2 cup wing sauce of your choice (any heat level)

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Open your can of chicken and drain!  I broke the chunks up with a fork a bit as well to make them smaller.
 

 

In a small saucepan combine, all ingredients.  On low-medium heat, continue mixing until all ingredients are melted, and smooth.  Turn into a small crockpot to keep warm for a party or put into a bowl and serve with your choice of crackers, veggies, or chips!!  Mine turned out with quite a little kick, so I would serve celery along with it as well!!  You can can top it with bacon, diced tomatoes, green onions, etc.  The options are endless!!

Now, get yourself over to Krista's place, and make sure to click that "FOLLOW" button.  Find her on Facebook and click her LIKE button and she likely has a twitter, OK I just looked and don't see one.  Just ask her.  Try this recipe and the plethra of other awesome recipes she has on her site!!  

Thanks for doing this with me Krista, it was SO fun, but the damn dip is gone already.  Are you KIDDING me?!?!  

Your "good thing she tried it before she blogged it" chefwannabe

Chris