Carmela Soprano's Fried Mozzarella Sticks and Anna Sultana's Appetizers

Sorry.  I'm a bit late with this week's post.

I decided to try one of Carmela's appetizer recipes on Thanksgiving.

Now that the dishes have been done and the stomachs have settled, I can tell you how it went.

In Carmela's Entertaining with The Sopranos there was a recipe for Fried Mozzarella Sticks in the Small Events for Men Only chapter. 

It was easy enough.

Cut the mozzarella into strips 1/2-inch wide and thick.
In a shallow plate beat
3 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

On a piece of wax paper spread
1/2 Cup flour

On a second piece of wax paper spread
1 Cup bread crumbs

Dip the sticks in the egg, then roll in the flour.
Dip again in the egg, then roll in the bread crumbs.

Place the sticks on a rack and refrigerate for 30 minutes or overnight to set.

Heat over medium-high in a heavy skillet until very hot

1-inch of oil

The sticks are fried for 5 minutes.
Do not crowd the sticks.
Drain on paper towels.
Fry the remaining sticks.

They're served hot, plain or with tomato sauce.

They did not go over well. 

Our crowd is getting on in years.  Deep frying is turning into a no-no.  To be polite, everyone tried one.  Then they went to the stomach friendly veggies in the antipasto platter.

Did Ma make appetizers.  No way.  

Ma thought our appetites were big enough.  She'd no more think of trying to increase our appetites for food than she'd try to increase our appetities for bigger allowances.

But Ma did serve chicken broth before big dinners.  She also served an antipasto platter, followed by something starchy, like a lasagne, then the main course with more vegetables.  

She'd also remind us, regularly, to save room for dessert.

Her logic went like this:

Fill up on the broth and the veggies and the lasagne.  By the time the main course comes, you won't be so hungry and there'll be leftover meat for tomorrow's dinner. 

Would I make the cheese sticks again?  Nope.

The broth and veggies are easier on the stomach...

and the budget.

Can't argue with Ma's logic.

Another recipe down.  Forty-two more to go.