Fried Cheese Sticks With Tomato Sauce

• 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)

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.

butter, tomato sauce, mushroom, oregano, dried basil, flour, breadcrumb, germ, ground red pepper, cheese, eggs, cooking oil

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/fried-cheese-sticks-with-tomato-sauce-22199 (may not work)