Fried Mozzarella with Puttanesca Dipping Sauce

• 2 pounds regular (or smoked) mozzarella, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups Italian style bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon Essence, recipe follows
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 6 -inch skewers or fondue forks, for dipping
• Puttanesca Dipping Sauce, recipe follows

1. Pat mozzarella dry, making sure there is no water on the surface, and set aside.
2. Place the flour in a shallow dish.
3. Combine the milk and eggs and place in a shallow bowl.
4. Stir together the bread crumbs, Essence, and salt and place in a shallow dish.
5. Heat vegetable oil about 1 1/2 inches deep, in a heavy saucepan or deep-fryer over medium-high heat to 325 to 330 degrees F.
6. Dredge the mozzarella in the flour, shaking off any excess flour.
7. Dip in the egg mixture and then the bread crumbs.
8. Place mozzarella in hot oil and cook for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
10. Allow mozzarella to stand for 3 to 5 minutes before serving, to allow the cheese to melt the entire way through.
11. Serve warm on skewers or fondue forks with Puttanesca Dipping Sauce
12. 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
13. 2 tablespoons salt
14. 2 tablespoons garlic powder
15. 1 tablespoon black pepper
16. 1 tablespoon onion powder
17. 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
18. 1 tablespoon dried oregano
19. 1 tablespoon dried thyme
20. Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
21. Yield: 2/3 cup
22. Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.
23. 2 tablespoons olive oil
24. 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
25. 1 tablespoon minced garlic
26. 1 (28-ounce) can whole Italian plum tomatoes, pureed in a blender, with juice
27. 1/2 cup pitted, and finely chopped kalamata olives
28. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
29. 1 tablespoon drained capers
30. 1 tablespoon minced anchovy fillets (4 to 5 fillets)
31. 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
32. Salt
33. In a medium pot heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
34. Add the onion and saute until soft and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
35. Add the garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes.
36. Add the tomatoes and the remaining ingredients and simmer until the sauce is thickened and slightly reduced, about 20 minutes.
37. Add salt to taste, cover and set aside.
38. Serve sauce warm or at room temperature.
39. Yield: about 3 cups

regular, flour, milk, eggs, italian style bread crumbs, salt, vegetable oil, skewers, dipping sauce

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/fried-mozzarella-with-puttanesca-dipping-sauce-recipe.html (may not work)