Mission Possible: Gluten-Free Fried Mozzarella Sticks

Though I'm usually content to eat healthy foods like brown rice, fish and vegetables - There are times when I miss comfort foods terribly. Like many people, my comfort foods are usually breaded, fried, high-carb, cheesy and/or made of potatoes. Fried mozzarella sticks dipped in hot marinara sauce fall into this category. At the time I became strictly gluten-free, I hadn't eaten them for at least 2-3 years. They haven't been a regular part of my diet since I was a teenager. Yet somehow the idea that I could never eat them again made me crave them more than ever.

Last night I decided it was time to tackle a mission I'd had for months - Making gluten-free mozzarella sticks from scratch. I fried up a whole pound of cheese, popped a couple of Lactaids and went to town. I got through just four of them before I decided to be kind to my stomach and switch to a salad. I froze the rest and will reheat them in the toaster oven when I need a cheese fix.

Be sure to use a flour with a very fine consistency (one that doesn't contain almond meal, corn meal, or other gritty flours). My Rice Flour Mix works perfectly. For bread crumbs, I used Ener-G's Fine Bread Crumbs - One of the few Ener-G products I like. You might also try the bread crumbs from Gillian's Foods or El Peto if you don't keep kosher, or make your own at home. This is definitely a job for fine, dry breadcrumbs rather than fresh ones. If you can get your hands on gluten-free Italian flavored bread crumbs, then eliminate all of the herbs and spices that the recipe calls for.

Oh, the cheesy deliciousness!

FRIED MOZZARELLA STICKS

1/4 cup gluten-free flour mix (such as my Rice Flour Mix)
2 cups dry gluten-free breadcrumbs (plain/unflavored)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 lb whole milk mozzarella cheese, cut into 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch strips (or 1 lb of string cheese, with each stick cut in half)
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup jarred marinara sauce

Heat the oil in a pan. In a small pot, heat up the marinara sauce (or use microwave).

Whisk eggs and milk together in a bowl or pie tin. In a second pie bowl or pie tin, combine bread crumbs with all of the herbs and spices. Place flour in a third bowl or pie tin.

Coat each piece of cheese with flour. Dip in egg and roll in bread crumbs.

Dip in egg and bread crumbs a second time, making sure that the entire piece of cheese is coated in crumbs.

Carefully place each cheese stick in the hot oil and cook until golden, about a minute on each side. Place on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot.