Thursday Recipe - Fried Cheese Balls

I can hear the jokes starting already. Um, yeah. Not going there. I'm trying to be more tasteful than that.

These turned out to be a very tasty treat. Kind of like mozzarella sticks, but better. They're still a heart attack waiting to happen, so go easy on them.

Fried Cheese Balls

2 c. shredded cheese, you pick your favorite variety or mix and match
1 large egg
3 T. flour
1/2 - 1 t. hot sauce, tabasco sauce, or siracha
dash of salt and pepper
1 c. dry bread crumbs, finely smashed

Mix cheese, egg, flour, hot sauce, salt, and pepper together. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to kind of meld it together a bit. Shape into 1 inch balls. Roll in dry bread crumbs. Set on wax paper on a baking sheet.

Freeze the balls for at least 1 hours.

Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a saucepan or heat up your deep fryer. You want it about 375° F, about what you'd cook french fries at. Too hot and they'll burn before the inside gets all gooey. Too cold and they are just nasty greasy lumps that fall apart in the oil. To test the oil, drop a thin slice of potato into it. The oil should start bubbling and the potato should float to the top within a few seconds. If it takes longer than that, the oil is probably too cold. If it bubbles furiously as soon as you drop the potato in, it's probably too hot. But too hot is better than too cold with this recipe.

Fry the balls 4 or 5 at a time for 1-2 minutes, just until golden brown and crispy on the outside. The center should be melted and oozing when you cut one open.

Serve warm. Makes 2 dozen.