Cornmeal Crusted Mozzarella Sticks Recipes

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED MOZZARELLA STICKS

Steps:

• Place cornstarch in a large Ziploc bag. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Whisk together eggs and milk in a shallow dish or bowl. Combine cornmeal, pepper, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and 1 teaspoon oregano in a separate shallow dish or bowl. Place cheese sticks in cornstarch, 5 at a time, shaking to coat. Remove from bag; tap off excess cornstarch. Dip cheese sticks in egg mixture, then dredge in cornmeal mixture, pressing to adhere. Place coated cheese sticks in a single layer on prepared baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 1 hour.
• Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches into a Dutch oven or heavy bottom pot; heat over high to 375°F to 400°F. Fry cheese sticks, in batches, in hot oil until golden brown and crisp, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Season with salt and a pinch each of Parmesan and oregano. Serve immediately with marinara sauce.

MOZZARELLA STICKS

Steps:

• Stir the bread crumbs, 1 cup of Parmesan and 1 teaspoon of salt in a medium bowl to blend. Dip the cheese in the eggs to coat completely and allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Coat the cheese in the bread crumb mixture, patting to adhere and coat completely. Place the cheese sticks on a baking sheet. Repeat dipping the cheese sticks in the egg and bread crumb mixture to coat a second time. Cover and freeze until frozen, about 2 hours and up to 2 days.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches, fry the cheese until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer the fried cheese to plates. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and serve with the Marinara Sauce.
• In a large casserole pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

CORNFLAKE MOZZARELLA STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. While the cornflakes are still in the bag, smash them with a pan or measuring cup until they are the consistency of breadcrumbs. Set up a breading station: put the flour in one bowl and season with the salt and pepper; put the eggs in another. Put the bag of cereal crumbs on the side.
• Cut the string cheese in half crosswise so they are the length of regular mozzarella sticks. Dip each piece in the flour to coat, shake off the excess, drop in the eggs and then drop in the bag of cornflake crumbs and shake to coat. Drop the coated cheese back in the egg and then cover with another layer of cornflakes. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake the sticks until the cheese melts, 5 to 7 minutes.

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED FISH STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil; fit another with a wire rack. In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; add fish, and toss to coat. In another large bowl, combine cornmeal and flour; season with salt and pepper.
• Working in batches, lift fish from egg-white mixture (letting excess drip off), and dredge in cornmeal mixture, patting to adhere; transfer to foil-lined sheet.
• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Working in batches, cook fish until golden brown and opaque throughout, 4 to 6 minutes, turning once (if fish is browning too quickly, reduce heat). Transfer to wire rack, and keep warm in oven while remaining fish cooks. Serve with ketchup.