Mozzarella in Carrozza

Ingredients

• 400 gfresh mozzarella — sliced
• 8 sliceswhite bread
• 2eggs — beaten
• 100 gplain breadcrumbs
• 800 mlvegetable oil — for frying
• 4 tbsptomato passata
• to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

1. Begin by slicing the 400 g of fresh mozzarella into even slices, approximately 1 cm thick. This ensures the cheese melts evenly during cooking. Lay out the 8 slices of white bread on a clean work surface and place an equal amount of mozzarella slices on 4 of the bread slices, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent cheese from escaping during frying.
2. Crack the 2 eggs into a shallow bowl and beat them lightly with a fork until the yolks and whites are fully combined. Season the beaten eggs with a pinch of fine sea salt and black pepper to taste, which will enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
3. In another shallow dish, spread out the 100 g of plain breadcrumbs. These will form the crispy coating for the bread, so ensure they are evenly distributed for consistent coverage.
4. Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top of the mozzarella-covered slices to form sandwiches, pressing down gently to seal the edges. Dip each sandwich first into the beaten eggs, making sure to coat all sides, and then into the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so the crumbs adhere well to the surface.
5. In a large, heavy-bottomed frying pan, pour in the 800 ml of vegetable oil and heat it over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of bread dropped into it sizzles and turns golden brown within a few seconds.
6. Carefully lower the prepared sandwiches into the hot oil, frying them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each sandwich for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the mozzarella is melted and gooey inside.
7. Once fried, remove the sandwiches from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. While still hot, spread 1 tbsp of tomato passata over the top of each sandwich for a touch of acidity and sweetness.
8. Finish with a sprinkle of fine sea salt to taste and serve immediately while the mozzarella is still warm and stretchy. Enjoy your Mozzarella in Carrozza as a delicious and comforting antipasto.