MOZZARELLA STICK DIPPING SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• Cut the mozzarella into thick slices then into 2cm-wide fingers and leave to sit on kitchen paper for 10 minutes.
• Put the flour, egg and panko into separate bowls. Tip the garlic salt and oregano into the breadcrumbs and toss. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Dip each mozzarella stick first in the flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Line them up on the tray as you coat them, then put in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer into freezer bags.
• To make the sauce, heat the olive oil and butter in a pan, then cook the onion and garlic until really soft. Add the chilli flakes, paprika, tomatoes and sugar, and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened. Use a stick blender to whizz until smooth, then freeze. When needed, defrost in a pan and simmer for 5 minutes before serving.
• Fill a pan no more than 1/3 full of oil and heat to 180C or until a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds. Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches, straight from frozen, for 4-5 minutes until golden brown, and drain on kitchen paper. Serve with the warm dipping sauce.

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Make room for the baking sheet in your freezer. 
• Blitz the panko in a food processor until it has the texture of coarse sand. Make a dredging station by preparing 3 large resealable plastic bags. In the first bag, whisk together the eggs with 3 tablespoons water. In the second, combine the flour and 1 tablespoon salt. In the third, combine the panko and Parmesan, as well as the dried basil, dried oregano and/or dried parsley if using. 
• Working in an assembly line, add the mozzarella to the egg mixture, tossing to coat. Allow any excess egg to drip off, then transfer the mozzarella to the flour mixture and shake to coat. Transfer the mozzarella back to the egg mixture, tossing to coat. Transfer the mozzarella to the panko mixture and shake to coat. Transfer the mozzarella back to the egg mixture and then the panko mixture one more time, then place on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet with the mozzarella sticks in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes (see Cook’s Note).  
• Meanwhile, make the marinara sauce. Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the fennel seeds and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute more. Stir in the tomato sauce and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt to taste and keep warm. 
• When ready to fry the mini mozzarella sticks, add a 1/2 inch of neutral oil to a large skillet or Dutch oven and heat over medium heat until shimmering. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet or line with paper towels.  
• Fry the mozzarella sticks in batches until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the wire rack and immediately season with salt.  
• Pour the marinara sauce into a ramekin, then place the mozzarella sticks on a serving platter, top with some Parmesan and the chopped parsley and enjoy!