Baked Mozzarella Sticks with Spicy Tomato Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 spray(s) olive oil cooking spray
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 clove(s) garlic clove(s), minced
• 15oz canned tomato sauce
• 1/4 tsp table salt
• 1/8 tsp sugar, granulated
• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 6 Tbsp fresh breadcrumbs, unseasoned panko
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper, ground
• 2 Tbsp white all-purpose flour, enriched
• 2 item(s) egg white(s), lightly scrambled
• 4 piece(s) low-fat string cheese

Instructions

1. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
2. Make sauce (alternatively 2 cups of your favorite marinara sauce may be substituted for sauce recipe). In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium low heat until just warm, about 1 minute. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, salt, sugar and red pepper flakes (if desired). Stir well and heat until sauce begins to bubble. Reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. While sauce is cooking prepare mozzarella sticks. Combine panko, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper on a medium sized plate.
4. Place flour on a small plate. Dip each stick in flour to coat. Shake off excess and dip in egg. Dip sticks in panko mixture. Place sticks on baking sheet 2 inches apart. Spray tops with olive oil cooking spray.
5. Place baking sheet in freezer for 1 hour and refrigerate sauce.
6. Fifteen to twenty minutes before serving time preheat oven to 400F. Once oven has reached desired temperature, remove baking sheet from freezer and place in oven. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until sticks are just heated through but not melted. Remove from oven and serve with sauce, warmed as follows.
7. While mozzarella sticks are baking, remove sauce from refrigerator and heat, in a microwave-safe dish, in microwave oven for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through. Serve ½ cup sauce with 2 mozzarella sticks.

Notes