aka - how do I make Mozzarella sticks?

[rinsav]

Though I'd make this a separate category so you'd see it more quickly. I'm about to run out to the store and I really want to make Mozzarella sticks for my sports bar night tonight. What's a good way to make these? Can I bake them? Thanks a ton!

[Leanne]

Ok - let me first start by saying that I have no idea - but if no one else does either, my best guess would be to make them like fried (baked) chicken, except with the sticks of mozarella. I bet you can also find these at the grocery store in the frozen food section if worse comes to worse. You can also find jalepeno poppers in the frozen food section - good for your bar theme. Have fun - it's a great idea.

[lorilei]

Here is a lowfat version of mozza sticks from SHAPE magazine:

Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Servings: 4

Olive oil spray
2 egg whites
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
8 ounces fat-free mozzarella cheese, sliced into 8 fingerlike strips (cut 8-ounce square in half widthwise, cut each half into 4 sticks)
1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon horseradish

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil spray and set aside. Place egg whites and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Add mozzarella cheese to egg whites and turn to coat. Transfer to bread crumbs and turn to coat, gently pressing crumbs into cheese to cover completely. Arrange mozzarella sticks on prepared baking sheet, spray with olive oil. Bake 5 minutes, until golden brown.

Meanwhile, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup and horseradish. Serve with warm mozzarella sticks.

Serving Size: 2 sticks & 2 tablespoons dip

[goldilocks]

There was a recipe in Cooking Light a while back that was mozzarela (you can use string cheese) wrapped in filo dough. I believe it also had pesto in it. Maybe someone with mastercook can search for you.

[buddie]

my suggestion is IF you have a costco save yourself some time and just go buy some that you heat in the oven. oh safeway has them too

[aka]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner...went out running. The suggestions above will work. At the bar we didn't make them fresh, they were brought in frozen and we deep fried them...watch them carefully because once the cheese oozes out you have a mess, but at the same time, you want it to be hot enough to melt the cheese. Frozen kind in the grocery store works fine. You can dip it in some type of jarred or refrigerated marinara sauce.

I remember seeing a recipe for it in an old Taste of Home magazine (a look at their website says it's in the April 1995 issue, but I don't have it with me). I remember that one uses the pre-packaged cheese sticks, but I don't remember anything else about it.

I found this one on the web...maybe the ingredients are just common enough that you have them on hand? Can't vouch for them personally.

So sorry I can't be more helpful!

Lilia


Beer Battered Mozzarella Sticks
2 lbs. Mozzarella cheese, cut into 3" by 3/4" sticks
1 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cayenne powder
2 tsp. black pepper
3/4 c. dark beer
1/2 c. milk
2 eggs

Cut Mozzarella into sticks. Reserve in the refrigerator. Make batter by combining flour salt, baking powder, cayenne and black pepper in a bowl and stirring until well blended. Continually whisking flour mixture, slowly incorporate the milk and beer. Add the eggs to the mixture and whisk until they are incorporated. Place mozzarella sticks in batter and allow to rest for 15 minutes.

Fry the cheese by heating 3 c. of vegetable oil up to 365 degrees in a deep, heavy saucepan. Remove cheese stick from batter one at a time and carefully place in oil. Cook, turning occasionally, until the cheese has a uniform golden brown color. Drain on paper towels. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
Courtesy of Chef Christopher McHam, Alibi Room, Seattle

[schuh]

Just happened upon this recipe. I haven't tried it but it sounds good. Let me know how it is if you decide to make it.

Crispy Mozzarella Sticks Marinara

4 (3 x 1/2 x 1/2-inch) sticks part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 3
ounces)
2 teaspoons commercial pesto
4 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
Olive oil-flavored cooking spray
1/4 cup fat-free tomato-and-basil marinara sauce

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Coat cheese with pesto.

3. Cut phyllo sheets in half crosswise to form 8 (13 x 9-inch)
rectangles. Place 1 phyllo sheet on a cutting board or work surface
(cover remaining dough to keep from drying); coat with cooking spray.
Place 1 sheet on top of first sheet. Fold in half crosswise to form a
9 x 6-1/2-inch rectangle. Place 1 stick of cheese at center of a
short end of rectangle; fold long sides of phyllo over cheese, coat
with cooking spray. Starting with the short end, roll up phyllo
jelly-roll fashion. Coat with cooking spray. Place on a baking sheet
coated with cooking spray. Repeat with remaining phyllo and cheese.
Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until golden brown.

4. Heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat
until thoroughly heated. Serve marinara sauce with mozzarella sticks.
Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 2 cheese sticks and 2 tablespoons
marinara sauce).

CALORIES 275 (41% from fat); FAT 12.4 (sat 5.1g, mono 4.1g, poly
1.9g); PROTEIN 14.1g; CARB 25.1g; FIBER 0.2g; CHOL 25mg; IRON 2.3mg;
SODIUM 439mg; CALC 318mg

[Jeanne G]

lorilei,
thank you for the recipe, I made the Baked M.Sticks tonight as an appetizer and everyone LOVED them..... easy, healthier than the fried.... really great!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif THANKS!

[This message has been edited by Jeanne G (edited 06-03-2001).]

[lorilei]

Jeanne - You're very welcome. Glad you enjoyed them... hope your sports bar turned out as well as you'd hoped! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif