Fried Manchego Cheese

By Paul123

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 pound Manchego cheese, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
• Canola oil, for frying
• Honey, for drizzling
• Smoked paprika, for sprinkling

Preparation

Step 1

Place the flour, egg, and panko bread crumbs in 3 separate dishes. Dip the cheese cubes into each ingredient to coat, starting with the flour and ending with the panko. Preheat the canola oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F, (or in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F.) If you don't have a thermometer, a cube of bread will brown in about 3 minutes. Add the breaded cheese to the hot oil, in batches, and deep fry until the cubes are crisp and golden. Remove the cheese from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb the excess oil. Transfer the cheese to a serving platter, drizzle with the honey, and dust with the paprika.