There are seemingly infinite ways to make a
cheese sandwich even more delicious, and dipping it in beaten egg and frying it
just has to be one of them. “In carozza” means “in a carriage,” which is surely
a rather lovely way of saying that the bread is holding the cheese within.
Do not be
tempted to use better-quality bread for this sandwich; it will be too robust
and the mozzarella inside won’t melt. It must be a cheap sliced white, no
matter what the quality of the cheese inside. That’s one hard life lesson right
there, so just suck it up. One could, of course, go completely crazy and add a
slice of prosciutto or Parma ham or a fresh basil leaf or two. Personally, I
prefer the pure and simple approach.
Makes 1
INGREDIENTS
Sliced mozzarella cheese
2 slices cheap “plasticy” white bread
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
All-purpose (plain) flour
Milk
1 egg, beaten
Olive oil, for frying (not extra virgin
though, the flavor is too strong)
Lay the sliced mozzarella between the 2 slices
of bread to make a sandwich, leaving a gap around the edges. Season with salt
and pepper, then press the edges together so that they are pretty much sealed.
Cover a plate with some flour, then fill another
wide dish with milk and a further wide dish with the beaten egg (add a splash
of milk to make the egg go further if necessary).
Heat a frying pan, add some olive oil, then dip
the whole sandwich (both sides) first in the milk, then in the flour, then
finally in the beaten egg.
Put the sandwich straight into the hot pan and
cook until it is crisp and a beautiful amber hue on both sides, and the
mozzarella inside is melted. Serve at once.
