As I hinted at in this post, the Bean is a cheese stick fiend.
He squishy heart loves the fried gooey goodness that is THE CHEESE STICK.
Last week, after his orthodontist appointment, we stopped for lunch at a chain restaurant. He spied cheese sticks on the menu and wanted them UNTIL he noticed the price. $7.95.
He thought that was far too high, and people, he's 15, and spending his parent's money.
Maybe there's hope for this one's spending habits after all, eh?
I told him we'd pop over to the grocery and grab up the ingredients and make them ourselves, and so we did.
Here's what you need:
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
Mozzarella String Cheese (or block, cut into fat strips)
Italian Bread Crumbs
Flour
Eggs
Spices
(garlic, Lawry's Season Salt, dried parsley, other spices if you wish)
(garlic, Lawry's Season Salt, dried parsley, other spices if you wish)
Oil for frying
We only did 4 cheese sticks, so we used:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg (well beaten)
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon garlic
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's
(use seasonings to your personal liking)
(use seasonings to your personal liking)
First, season your crumbs & mix well
Then cut your cheese (refraining from immature joke here)
Then we do a basic coating, what I do when I fry anything, eggs and flour.
In this case, we do it a wee differently. First flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs.
Confused? Just watch as the Bean demonstrates.
In this case, we do it a wee differently. First flour, then eggs, then bread crumbs.
Confused? Just watch as the Bean demonstrates.
Roll in flour to coat all sides (including ends!)
Dip in egg
Then roll in breadcrumbs (I just realized I don't have a photo of this step. omgosh, I'm a failure ;)
Then repeat the egg & breadcrumb process.
WARNING: your fingers will get gloppily coated in this stuff. Kinda weird. Kinda gross.)
WARNING: your fingers will get gloppily coated in this stuff. Kinda weird. Kinda gross.)
As you finish, place them on a cookie sheet. When you are done coating, put them into the freezer for about 30 minutes.
This step keeps the cheese from exploding out when we fry.
After the 30 mins, heat your oil to about 350. This will cook them a BIT more slowly, but it will still only take 2 minutes MAX to finish.
Place them into the oil 2-3 at a time. Cook until golden on one side, then CAREFULLY flip them and cook the other side til golden.
WATCH CLOSELY!
they will burn quickly.
WATCH CLOSELY!
they will burn quickly.
Remove to paper towels to soak up the oil.
If you are making a large batch you can put them into a 200 degree F oven to keep them warm and gooey until you finish.
Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (you know the shaky container kind), and serve with marinara sauce.
Dive in!
Delicious.
Cheap.
Easy.
The End.
Oh my goodness, can you make me some too? These look so yummy and we love cheese sticks around here. Thanks so much for linking up to Creative Thursday this week. I can't wait to see what you link up next week. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteMichelle