MEMORIES:
A successful chef once remarked to his students that “fat is flavor, and flavor is your friend.” Well, if this is to be believed, here is a snack treat just oozing with camaraderie: fried cheese sticks. To be brutally honest, you would be hard pressed to find something less healthy than frying a hunk of cheese in a vat of oil but that hasn’t stopped them from becoming one of the most popular appetizers of our time.
Though it seems like only recently that fried mozzarella sticks have become available at the typical Italian restaurant, greasy spoon cafe or diner, frying up cheese has actually been around for hundreds of years. In fact, they were once called “pipefarces,” and were made from cheeses such as Muenster. They were quite the treat in the late 14th century. Today, of course, you can find fried cheese just about anywhere, and depending on tastes and regional flair, it’s not just made with mozzarella. Cheeses such as provolone, cheddar and Edam are also common and quite delightful. The fried sticks are generally offered with a sauce such as marinara, or for the adventurous, something a bit spicier containing jalapenos. Of course, if you are particularly fond of living dangerously, or you happen to have a cozy relationship with your cardiologist, you may choose to accompany them with a serving of rich, creamy and cool ranch dressing. It doesn’t get much friendlier than that.
A true indulgence for the late night audience, the fried cheese stick can be found on its own, or oftentimes on a platter with a number of similar decadent delights. In fact, Denny’s Sampler platter (a hit with the nocturnal crowd,) comes with an artery-hardening assortment of cheese sticks, onion rings, and chicken strips, ready to delight the palette and put your circulatory system to the ultimate test, all in one sitting.
That’s what friends are for.
