Appetizer: Mac n Cheese Bites

Ingredients

 3 cups leftover macaroni and cheese, refrigerated at least overnight
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

3/4 cup fine, panko bread crumbs

3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 eggs, well beaten

1/2 cup half and half
peanut oil

Directions 

Cut the day old macaroni and cheese into 1-inch bites size squares.

Set up your coating station as follows:

Station 1: In a shallow bowl, mix together flour, salt, and pepper

Station 2: In a shallow bowl beat 2 eggs and 1/2 of half and half together

Station 3: In a shallow bowl stir together the bread crumbs and grated Parmesan cheese

Dredge each bite through the flour and gently tap off excess. Dip each into the milk-egg mixture, and then dredge in the bread-cheese mixture. 

Let the bites stand for 5 minutes prior to cooking so the crust can set.

Heat about 1 inch of peanut oil in a heavy, medium-sized pot.  If you have a candy thermometer, then  heat the oil to about 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).  

Fry each bite until golden brown. Usually the batch beginning with my second or third batch on  comes out perfect. The oil is warmed and the residue from the previous batches seems to help the next batch cook more evenly.  I'm no scientist, so I'm not sure why that happens. 

Place the bites on a tray covered with paper toweling to drain. Transfer the them to a nice serving dish.  No dipping sauce required.  GET THEM WHILE THEIR STILL HOT!