Vegan Mozzarella Sticks

Nearly any vegetarian will say they're not vegan because they can't give up cheese: these sticks will make it just a bit easier to let go of that dairy product. The mix of Daiya Mozzarella and Daiya Pepperjack provides a more flavorful cheese rather than spicy as one might expect from the pepperjack.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Daiya Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
• 1/2 cup Daiya Pepperjack Shredded Cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup flour of choice
• 1/2 cup vegan milk of choice (neutral flavor)
• 1 1/2 cups Italian bread crumbs (chunks are fine, powder is not)

Instructions:

1. Melt cheese with the garlic powder and Italian seasoning in a small sauce pan. Stir constantly until melted and consistent in texture. If using a microwave, stir every 15-30 seconds.
2. Spread in a pan or container of choice (smaller in size: I use a square dish that is approximately 5 in. by 5 in. or 12.5 cm by 12.5 cm). Let cool in the fridge for at least half an hour. Some oil may separate which is okay to remove when forming the sticks after the cheese has cooled.
3. With a knife make a line or indent in the middle from edge to edge to create a dividing section. Each subsection can make up to 6 pieces (like a two column table with six rows each).
   
   These will be sectioned off as you go because the cheese will be a little gooey. These will look small at first, but as you pull the cheese out and work with it, they will become a little larger than a finger.
4. Dip each strip in milk, roll in flour, dip in milk again, and roll in the bread crumbs. Do so thoroughly to help prevent too much cheese from oozing while cooking.
5. Heat frying oil of choice in a small to medium size pot. There should be enough oil in the pot to cover the sticks after they are added (about 2 in./5cm. oil). To test if the oil is hot enough, you can drop some bread crumbs in which should be surrounded in bubbles. Carefully add 3 to 4 sticks at a time to the oil. Cook until golden and crispy. In canola oil on medium heat, my sticks take about 90 seconds to cook. If they start to ooze cheese, they are likely ready to come out.

Time estimation: 90 minutes
Servings: 12 sticks