01 Jun HERB BAKED MOZZARELLA STICKS

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup all-purpose

flour

1 egg

1 1/2 cups panko

breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons chopped

fresh cilantro, parsley,

basil or a combination

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch freshly ground

black pepper

1 (12-count) package

mozzarella string

cheese

Garnish: salsa, ketchup

or other dipping sauce

Nonstick cooking spray

Place the flour in a shallow bowl or plate. In

a separate bowl, whisk together the egg

and 1 tablespoon water. In another shallow

bowl or plate, combine the panko, herbs,

salt and pepper. Begin by coating the

mozzarella sticks in batches of 2, first

dredging in the flour mixture and shaking

off excess. Then dip in the egg mixture,

letting any excess drip off. Finish by

dredging in the panko crumb mixture and

shaking any off excess. Transfer the

breaded cheese sticks to a sheet pan

greased with nonstick cooking spray.

Cover and freeze until frozen, about 4

hours and up to 2 days (this will lessen the

oozing of the cheese). Preheat the oven to

400 degrees F. Lightly spray the cheese

sticks with nonstick cooking spray. Bake

until the cheese is soft and the sticks are

lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Serve

with salsa, ketchup or other dipping sauce.