Mozzarella Sticks With Chilli Tomato Sauce Recipes

MOZZARELLA STICKS WITH CHILLI TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the flour, egg and breadcrumbs into three separate bowls, seasoning each. Stir the dried oregano and garlic granules into the breadcrumbs.
• Coat the mozzarella sticks in the flour, dust off any excess, then dip into the beaten egg. Gently shake to remove the excess egg, then turn in the breadcrumbs until well-coated. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with baking parchment and arrange in a single layer, then freeze for 1 hr until completely solid.
• To make the dipping sauce, heat the oil in a saucepan, and fry the chillies and garlic for 2-3 mins until fragrant. Tip in the tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and some seasoning. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 12-15 mins until thick and saucy. If you prefer a smooth sauce, blitz with a stick blender. Season to taste - you may need to add a little more sugar, vinegar or salt. Leave to cool. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to three days, or the freezer for up to three months.
• Fill a heavy-based saucepan no more than a third full of oil and heat to 180C, or until a cube of bread sizzles when dropped into the oil, and browns in about 30 seconds. Gently lower in the frozen mozzarella sticks - you'll need to do this in two batches to ensure the temperature remains high - and fry for 2-3 mins until the cheesy middle is melted and the outside is crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper. Serve straightaway, or leave to cool. Will keep, covered in the fridge, for up to three days, or the freezer for up to three months.
• To reheat, heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and bake on a tray for 8-10 mins until heated through. Season and serve with warm dipping sauce.

TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA BITES

Steps:

• Using a toothpick, spear a half of a tomato, a leaf of basil, a mozzarella ball, and another half of a tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Place on a serving dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Mix the vinegar and oil together in a small bowl to serve as a dipping sauce.

SPICY SALAMI MOZZARELLA STICKS WITH VODKA SAUCE

Steps:

• Form the sticks: Place two slices of salami on a cutting board so that they are overlapping and slightly longer than the mozzarella stick. Wrap up the mozzarella stick so it is completely covered in the salami and transfer, seam side down, to a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Repeat wrapping the remaining mozzarella sticks with the salami. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• While the mozzarella sticks are chilling, place the flour, egg mixture and breadcrumbs in separate wide shallow containers.
• Working with one at a time, roll the mozzarella sticks in the flour and shake off any excess. Roll the sticks in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs. Double coat by rolling the sticks in the egg mixture and breadcrumbs a second time. Arrange on a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Repeat with all of the sticks and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Fry the sticks: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pour the oil into a deep, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees F. Meanwhile, set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Working in batches, carefully drop the sticks into the oil and gently "swirl" the oil so they fry more evenly on all sides. Fry until they are light to medium brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the mozzarella sticks with a slotted spoon or spider and lay them out in a single layer on the wire rack. Repeat until all are cooked. Keep warm in the oven if needed.
• Serve: Serve the mozzarella sticks with warm vodka sauce for dunking.
• In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and season with salt. Stir in the vodka, sugar and red pepper flakes and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 5 to 8 minutes over high heat, stirring from time to time. Taste for seasoning. Stir in the cream. Puree in a blender until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.