Cocktail Cheese Bites Recipe | Food

Date Published:: 30/11/2007

Cocktail cheese bites are simple and quick, but so delicious that everyone will be clamouring for more. Mozzarella and haloumi cubes, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried are gorgeously crisp and melting. These cocktail bites are great served with herbed vodka in frozen shot glasses and plenty of little bowls of marinated olives.

Serves 10-12
Ready in 20 minutes

Ingredients

Vegetable or sunflower oil, for deep frying
1 pack Discover Mozzarella, cut into 16 cubes
1 pack Discover Halloumi, cut into 16 cubes
2 tbsp plain flour
1 egg, beaten
200g breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs (from good Chinese grocers or www.mountfuji.co.uk)
10 slices prosciutto di Parma
2 packs Discover Mozzarella Slices (20 slices)
40 fresh basil leaves

Method: How to make cocktail cheese bites

1. Fill a large, deep saucepan about two-thirds full of oil and heat the oil to 190°C (check the temperature: a cube of bread will brown in 30 seconds). Dust the mozzarella and halloumi cubes with flour. Shake off the excess and dip into the beaten egg, then into the breadcrumbs. Carefully transfer to the hot oil and fry until the crumbs are golden (about 30 seconds). Remove with a slotted spoon. Skewer with cocktail sticks and serve while the cheese is still soft.

Tip

The slices of mozzarella are handy for layering into a lasagne or for a margherita pizza. You'll need 32 cocktail sticks for this recipe.

2. Preheat the oven to 220C/fan200C/gas 7. Cut each slice of prosciutto in half lengthways. Roll up each slice of mozzarella, wrap with a piece of prosciutto and lay on a foil-lined tray. Just before serving, pop into the oven for 30 seconds (no more or the cheese will melt rather than warm and soften). Push a fresh basil leaf into each end and serve right away.