Italian Cheese Sticks Food

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.)

CHEESE ON A STICK

Steps:

• Heat 2 inches of oil in a wide heavy-bottomed pot to 350 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, combine the pancake mix, cornmeal and egg in a large bowl. Add 3 cups of water and stir until a thick batter forms. The batter should be thick but pourable; thin with a little more water if needed. Pour the batter into a glass tall enough to completely immerse the length of the cheese.
• Skewer each piece of cheese on a bamboo or wooden chopstick.
• To fry: In batches of three, dip the skewered cheese into the batter, ensuring each piece is covered completely. Slowly lower the cheese into the hot oil. Very quickly, flip the cheese over so all parts of the batter have a chance to set and begin cooking. Cook, flipping frequently, until golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the remaining ingredients.
• Serve warm with warm marinara sauce on the side.

ITALIAN CHEESE BOARD

Steps:

• Arrange the fig leaves on top of a board and artfully place the cheeses on top of the leaves. Drizzle olive oil on the smoked mozzarella slices, and sprinkle with fresh pepper. Place the green grapes in the middle, the fig jam in a small bowl, and arrange the grissini, cherries, caramelized walnuts, and crackers in groupings on the board.

HOW TO MAKE CHEESE STICKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Place a sheet of frozen puff pastry dough onto a floured work surface and allow dough to thaw just until it can be unfolded. Unfold dough into a flat sheet; brush top of puff pastry dough with olive oil. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Sprinkle white Cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese onto the dough, covering the surface. Top with a piece of plastic wrap; press cheese and seasonings firmly into the dough with your fingers or by laying a sheet pan onto the dough over the plastic and pressing it down.
• Remove plastic and use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough down the seam lines into thirds; cut each third lengthwise into thirds for a total of 9 breadsticks.
• Pick up a dough strip, place it seasoned side down on the work surface, and twist from both ends 8 or 9 times to make a rolled tube of dough with the seasoned side out. Place breadsticks onto prepared baking sheet.
• Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese over the sticks. Roll the sticks lightly to even up their shapes and pick up and press any dropped cheese onto the surfaces.
• Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes; flip and continue baking until breadsticks are browned and crisp, 10 to 20 more minutes. If you pick up a stick by one end and it droops, bake for several more minutes. Cool on a wire rack before serving.

ITALIAN HERB AND CHEESE BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 12-in. square. In a small bowl, mix butter, Italian seasoning and garlic; spread over dough. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over butter mixture. Fold dough in thirds over filling; pinch seams to seal., Cut crosswise into twenty-four 1/2-in.-wide strips. Twist each strip 2 or 3 times. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until almost doubled, about 30 minutes., Preheat oven to 375°. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake until golden brown, 20-22 minutes. If desired, serve with marinara sauce.

EASY ITALIAN BREADSTICKS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Gradually add milk, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 8-10 times., Roll dough into a 14x10-in. rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise; cut each half widthwise into 1-in. strips. Place butter in a shallow bowl. Dip each strip into butter; twist two to three times., Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Sprinkle with cheese and garlic salt. Bake at 450° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.