Fried Mushrooms and Cheese Sticks

Some days you are just in the mood for something a little different. I already had some mozzarella rope cheese in the refrigerator, so when I came across a lovely looking box of mushrooms at the store, I had to make the evening just a little different. The mozzarella sticks went into the freezer as soon as I got home.

I washed and dried the mushrooms while my oil got up to temperature. Now I am a bit old school so I like to use closable bags for egg wash and coatings. So, all the mushrooms go in one bag and get tossed around with an egg. The coating bag gets a cup and a half of all purpose flour and a few spices to build in a little flavor in the coating. I like black pepper, paprika, and a dash of cayenne. The flour mix varies greatly depending on what I am coating.

Once the oil is good and hot, the mushrooms go from the egg wash bag directly into the coating bag. A few quick shakes and they are ready to deep fry. While those were cooking, a bag of garlic and herb croutons got crushed into seasoned bread crumbs and they went into their own coating bag.

As soon a the mushrooms were done, I pulled the cheese sticks out of the freezer and they got egg washed then coated with the crushed bread crumbs. A quick trip through the oil and they are a nice golden brown and fully thawed. You got to pay attention and move with purpose or you are going to have a cheesy mess in that oil.

Just for fun, I lightly broiled a few pieces of salmon and set that out with fancy crackers. A dipping sauce that was nothing more than marinara sauce and a great and tasty time was had by all while we caught on a couple of tv shows.