Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

This recipe came from a coworker. We were discussing ways to make our favorite items from a restaurant and how to make them cheaper at home. I know this economy is affecting everyone and cooking a home has been great for our budget and it has helped with my diet. This recipe isn’t super great for a diet but you can make it in small batches for better portions.
My coworker made this recipe over and over when she was little to get it perfect and I have to say she got it. The cheese melts perfectly and they are so crispy on the outside.

Restaurant Style Mozzarella Sticks
1 package of Polly-O Whole Milk Mozzarella
1 cup of Italian Style bread crumbs
1 egg
Olive Oil for frying

1. Slice the mozzarella cheese into what shape (slice, cube, any shape you choose).
2. In separate bowls, place the bread crumbs and egg. Make an egg wash with the egg. Use a fork to beat the egg until smooth. If the egg wash looks too thick, you can add a bit water to thin it out a little bit.
3. Dip the mozzarella in the egg wash and thoroughly coat.
4. Take the mozzarella and coat in the bread crumbs. Make sure the mozzarella is completely covered (unless you want your cheese to melt in the pan).
5. Place the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place only enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Once the oil is at the correct temperature, fry the mozzarella until golden brown on both sides.
6. Serve and Enjoy.

Until Next Time,

Christine

Holy Macaroni Batman!

So when I say I am a picky eater, I mean extreme picky. It was especially bad when I was younger. It makes my father so mad now when he hears what kind of food I am eating or even trying. (By the way yes it was my Dad making the food; he was the best single father in the world.) When I was little, I would only eat plain noodles with just some butter and salt. Oh yeah, I also ate hot dogs. I was obviously not a foodie as a child. My Dad would always ask me if he could give me macaroni and cheese. I was adamant when I said no because cheese was not suppose to take the macaroni. Oh how wrong I was. I have truly seen the error of my ways.

However it wasn’t until recently that I actually made homemade macaroni and cheese. It was always from the little blue box before (but shh! don’t tell). So when Pioneer Woman had a recipe for macaroni and cheese, I just had to try it. The first time I made it exactly as the recipe said. Holy Macaroni Batman!!! That was a lot of macaroni and a lot of leftovers. So this time I cut the recipe in half. I also used whole wheat pasta to up our whole grain intake. Pioneer’s Woman’s recipe is below so if there are only two of you cut the recipe it half.

Macaroni and Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4 cups dried macaroni
1/4 cup (1/2 stick, 4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (more if desired)
1 egg, beaten
1 pound cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
*Optional spices: cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme

• Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.
• In a small bowl, beat egg.
• In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.
• Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
• Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.
• Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
• Add in cheese and stir to melt.
• Add salts and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDERSALT.
• Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.Top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Not only was this a first time for making homemade Macaroni and Cheese, but this is my first entry into Presto Pasta Nights. Ruth at Once Upon a Feast has been running this weekly roundup for quite some time. She is the host this week and you should definitely visit her site on Friday when all the entires will be posted. I have always viewed the weekly recipes with mouthwatering awe. So I knew one of my first food blog posts had to be a entry into the Roundup. I can’t wait to see this week’s entries. I know I will be trying some out. Until next time……

Christine