Asian Food in Ocean City: Cheesy Mozzarella sticks (2024)

Mozzarella sticks are made from mozzarella cheese, a type of semi-soft cheese known for its mild flavor and excellent melting properties. The cheese is cut into sticks or rectangular pieces coated in a breading mixture and then deep-fried until the exterior is golden and crispy while the inside remains soft and gooey.

History of Mozzarella sticks

The practice of frying cheese in batter can be traced back to at least 1393 in medieval France with a recipe for fried cheese sticks appearing in Le Ménagier de Paris. However food historians believe that the medieval French fried cheeses were quite different from the modern mozzarella sticks we know today.

The origins of mozzarella sticks are most likely in the United States during the 1970s. According to historian Joel Jensen two main factors contributed to this: the increasing availability of mass-produced mozzarella cheese from the 1960s onward, and the development of new efficient frying technologies for use in fast-paced food-serving businesses such as bowling alleys and sports bars.

Ingredients and Preparations

Ingredients needed for preparing Mozzarella sticks are:

1 ½ cups (106 g) plain Panko
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon dried parsley
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon table salt 2 large eggs
½ cup (63 g) all-purpose flour
1 lb whole milk mozzarella block or 15 whole milk string cheese
Vegetable oil for frying
Marinara sauce for dipping

Mozzarella sticks are made by coating cheese strings in breadcrumbs or batter and then baking or frying them in oil. They are commonly served with tomato sauce or marinara sauce but can also be paired with other dipping sauces like plum sauce, jalapeño jelly, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce and ranch dressing. Fried mozzarella sticks are often served with marinara sauce in restaurants.

Begin by placing 1 ½ cups (106 g) of plain Panko crumbs in a Ziploc bag. Use a rolling pin or mallet to crush the crumbs until they are fine.

Next pour the crushed panko into a shallow dish. Add Italian seasoning, dried parsley, garlic powder, ground black pepper, and table salt. Stir the ingredients to combine.

In a separate shallow bowl, crack 2 large eggs and beat them with a whisk or fork until scrambled.

Then pour ½ cup (63 g) of all-purpose flour into another shallow bowl.

If you’re using a whole milk mozzarella block, cut it widthwise into 15 sticks.

Working with one stick at a time dip it in the flour and shake off any excess. Then dip it in the beaten egg, letting any excess drip off. Finally dip it in the panko crumb mixture ensuring the entire cheese stick is coated with panko.

Place a wire cooking rack on a baking sheet and put the breaded mozzarella sticks on the rack. Once all sticks have been dipped, transfer them to the freezer and chill for at least one hour. If you are chilling them for longer than 1 hour, remove them from the freezer after 1 hour and place them in an airtight container, then return them to the freezer.

Frying

Before you begin place the sticks in the freezer. Then in a medium-sized saucepan fill it with vegetable oil to a depth of 3 inches. Attach a thermometer to the side ensuring it is suspended about halfway into the oil and not touching the bottom of the pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 350°F (175°C) and then remove the sticks from the freezer.

Fry the sticks, two at a time, until they are golden brown (about 1 minute), and then remove them to a paper towel-lined plate to cool. Make sure the oil returns to the proper temperature before frying the next batch.

Enjoy the sticks while they are still warm dipped in warmed marinara sauce.

Variations

Popular fried cheeses other than mozzarella include provolone, Edam, cheddar, and American. Mozzarella sticks with raspberry sauce are part of the regional cuisine of New York’s Capital District. In many public schools throughout the United States, Bosco pizza sticks filled with mozzarella have become a popular staple.

Conclusion

A popular appetiser, mozzarella sticks are renowned for their melting cheese interior and crunchy outside. They are popular at restaurants, gathering places, and even homes. They offer a pleasing mix of textures and flavours whether dipped in ranch dressing, marinara sauce, or another favourite condiment. Given that they are deep-fried, they might not be the healthiest option, but their widespread appeal is attested to by their popularity. In conclusion, because of their ease of preparation and delectability, mozzarella sticks are a lovely treat that many people like.

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