Fried Mozzarella Puffs

Recipe View In a medium saucepan, combine water, butter, and salt over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer, then pour in the flour all at once. Reduce heat to medium and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon or spatula until the dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes. (Estimated time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Remove from heat and transfer the dough to a large bowl. Let it cool until it is no longer hot to the touch, but still warm. This should take 5-10 minutes.

Recipe View Add the egg, cayenne pepper, and black pepper to the dough. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth, soft, and sticky. Scrape the dough into a ball using a spatula. (Estimated time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, ensuring the plastic touches the surface of the dough, to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the dough to cool and firm up. (Estimated time: 60 minutes)

Recipe View While the dough chills, prepare the marinara sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the marinara sauce, balsamic vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add the anchovy fillet. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat and keep covered until ready to serve. (Estimated time: 20 minutes)

Recipe View Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and uncover. Grate the mozzarella cheese over the dough and stir to combine thoroughly. (Estimated time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Heat the canola oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pan to 350°F (175°C). Preheat your oven to 200°F (93°C) or the lowest setting to keep the puffs warm. (Estimated time: 10 minutes)

Recipe View Using two spoons, scoop out approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per puff and shape into a small, football-like shape. (Estimated time: 5 minutes)

Recipe View Carefully fry the puffs, 5-6 at a time, in the hot oil until they are golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. (Estimated time: 15 minutes)

Recipe View Place the fried mozzarella puffs in the preheated oven to keep warm while you finish frying the remaining dough. Serve immediately with the warm marinara sauce. (Estimated time: 2 minutes)