Fried Mozzarella and a Giveaway!

After frying for the first time a few months ago, I've officially conquered my fear of it.  For those of you that know me, you know I'm afraid of a lot of things.  I often think with a "what if" mentality. So when I first considered frying, I immediately thought about the possibility of hot oil burns and crazy oil fires that I wouldn't be able to control... totally normal, right???...

Since trying frying for the first time, I've found it far easier than I expected.  No injuries to share with you- only deliciously crisp and golden fried finger foods.  I've been feeling so confident, that I thought of going out on a limb and making fried mozzarella without a recipe to follow.  After making the Jalapeno Poppers recently, I learned that double breading creates a nice crisp exterior and seals cheese in well.  So I decided to use the same technique with mozzarella.  

Fried mozzarella is one of my favorite appetizers and is something I love to order out at a restaurant.  This homemade version is an exact replica and is extremely easy to re-create. It requires very few steps and ingredients. You can make it using a mozzarella block for a slice of cheese you can cut into or using individually packed string cheese you buy for your kids to take to school for the perfect fried mozzarella stick.  No matter which you prefer, either form of fried mozzarella is delicious and easy to make at home!
 

I also have an exciting new Giveaway to tell you about!  I was recently contacted by Joss & Main and presented with the opportunity to feature a $100 e-spree giveaway to one lucky reader that can be used towards anything on their website!

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.... check out what they're selling this week! They have lots of absolutely beautiful items to choose from!

Here's how to win:

Required:

1.Click here or on the Joss & Main picture on my sidebar (the right side of my site). Enter your information to create an account with Joss & Main.
2.  Leave a comment on Sprinkles of Parsley telling me what your favorite Joss & Main item is on their website.

Optional For One Extra Entry Each: (MUST post a separate comment for each, telling me which of the items below you did)

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The Giveaway will be closing June 29th.  Random.org will select the comment # winner of this exciting $100 e-spree gift card!  Winner will be announced June 30th.... Good luck!!

To make fresh fried mozzarella, you can use a 16 oz. block of fresh mozzarella like this one:

Take your cheese and slice it into 1/2 inch thick pieces:

Then prepare your dipping bowls by combining your beaten eggs in one bowl and bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in the other:

Dip your cheese into the egg:

Then cover it with breadcrumbs, pressing down so the breadcrumbs stick:

Then dip it back into the egg:

And finish with the breadcrumbs again:

I also experimented with string cheese to make traditional mozzarella sticks. Using string cheese, follow the same steps as listed above:

Meanwhile, combine a large saute pan with 2 inches of vegetable oil.  Heat it over medium heat until a small clump of breadcrumbs and egg sizzle when it's dropped into the oil.  Temperature should be about 375 degrees:

Then carefully drop your mozzarella into the oil:

Fry until golden, about 30 seconds:

Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and continue to fry the rest of your cheese.  Then serve them with a side of a marinara sauce for dipping:

Cut into your fried mozzarella and let the cheese ooze out... yum!

Fried Mozzarella

Makes: 10 slices or cheese sticks

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients

1, 16-ounce block of mozzarella cheese or package of string cheese

4 eggs

2 cups breadcrumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

vegetable oil

1 cup marinara sauce for dipping

Directions

Slice your mozzarella block into 1/2 inch thick pieces. Then prepare your dipping bowls by combining your beaten eggs in one bowl and bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in the other.  Dip your cheese into the egg,

then cover it with breadcrumbs, dip it back into the egg, and finish with the breadcrumbs again.

Meanwhile, combine a large saute pan with 2 inches of vegetable oil.  Heat it over medium heat until a small clump of breadcrumbs sizzle when dropped into the oil.  Temperature should be about 375 degrees. Then carefully drop your mozzarella into the oil.  Fry your cheese until golden, about 30 seconds.

Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel and continue to fry the rest of your cheese.  Serve them with a side of a marinara sauce for dipping.