Nickel City Cheese Sticks Recipes

CHEESE STICKS

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cheese spread, butter and egg white until fluffy. Cut crust from bread. Slice bread 1 in. thick; cut each slice into 1-in. strips. Spread the cheese mixture on all sides of each strip and place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm. Unbaked cheese sticks may be frozen for up to 4 months. Bake as directed (they do not need to be thawed first).

GOOEY CHEESE STICKS (FRIED OR BAKED)

Steps:

• Open the cheese strings and cut each in half. Cover and place in the freezer for at least 2 hours or until completely frozen.
• Combine flour and cornstarch in a small bowl. Combine the Italian and Panko bread crumbs in a separate shallow dish. In third small bowl, whisk eggs and olive oil until well combined.
• Dip each cheese stick half into the egg mixture and then gently roll into the flour mixture.
• Put back into the egg mixture and roll until coated. Finally, place into the bread crumbs pressing the crumbs on each piece of cheese to make sure it's coated all around so the cheese doesn't leak out.
• Place in the freezer while the oil preheats. Preheat oil to 350°F. It should be hot enough that a few crumbs dropped into the oil will bubble.
• In small batches, place breaded cheese sticks into the hot oil for about 2 minutes or just until browned. Do not overcook or the cheese will leak out.
• Serve hot with warm pasta sauce.

NICKEL DINER SMAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente. Drain and toss with a little butter or olive oil to keep from sticking.
• Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk to create a roux. Cook for a minute or so, whisking frequently, until mixture looks like wet sand. Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly, until roux is incorporated. Whisk in Dijon. Add mozzarella, 16 ounces pepper jack and all but 4 ounces Parmesan. Cook, stirring frequently, until mixture is smooth and all the cheese has melted, the sauce is thick and you are able to draw a line through it on the back of a spoon, 15 to 20 minutes. Add Spice Mix and hot sauce and stir again to make sure seasoning is evenly distributed.
• Combine the drained pasta with the cheese sauce in a large bowl, mixing well. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining 8 ounces pepper jack cheese and the Roasted Tomato quarters. Finish topping with the remaining 4 ounces Parmesan and Buttered Breadcrumbs. Bake until the top is bubbly and browned, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place salt, cayenne, chile powders, cumin and turmeric in a food processor and grind until well blended. Store in a sealed container.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place diced bread cubes in a bowl. Melt butter in a small saucepan and add parsley and garlic, stirring until garlic cooks slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Pour mixture over diced bread cubes and toss until blended. Place mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool. Place in a large plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until mixture is crumbly.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Toss cut tomatoes in a large bowl along with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme. Place tomatoes cut-side down on a parchment-lined sheet pan and roast until the tomato skins are blistered and wrinkled, 10 to 15 minutes. When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove skins and set aside.

CRISPY CHEESE STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Mix flour, cornmeal and salt. Cut in cheese and butter until crumbly. Stir in water; mix well., Divide dough in half; cover half. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 portion into a 14x8-in. rectangle. Cut into 7x1/2-in. strips; place on a baking sheet. Grasp strips at each end and twist in opposite directions, pressing ends onto sheet to help them hold their shape. Repeat with remaining dough. , Bake until lightly browned, 8-10 minutes; immediately sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Remove from baking sheet; cool on a wire rack.