Fried Cheese Sticks With Tomato Sauce

Great appetizer for any party. Your guests will love these tasty cheese sticks.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 40 cheese sticks

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter or 1  tablespoon margarine
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1⁄2 cup mushroom, finely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
• 1  cup flour
• 1  cup  fine dry breadcrumb
• 1  cup wheat germ
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  ground red pepper
• 1  lb cheese, well chilled (Cheese suggestions, Swiss, Monterey Jack, Mozzarella, Muenster, cheddar, fontina, Gouda, Edam, Havar)
• 2  beaten eggs
•  cooking oil (for deep-fat frying)

Directions

1. Melt butter in a small saucepan.
2. Stir in tomato sauce, mushrooms, oregano and basil.
3. Bring to boil.
4. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Cover and keep warm while frying cheese.
6. Combine bread crumbs, wheat germ and red pepper in a small bowl.
7. Cut cheese into 2x1/2x1/2-inch sticks or 1 inch cubes.
8. Dip each piece of cheese in eggs, then into the flour and then the crumbs to coat well; repeat one more time to ensure even coating.
9. Heat 1 1/2 inches of oil to 375 degrees.
10. Fry a few cheese pieces at a time for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until golden on all sides. (do not overcook or you will have a melted mess).
11. Drain well on paper towels.
12. Serve warm with tomato sauce.