Potato Cheese Sticks

Ingredients:
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper
• ¼ cup green onion, diced
• ½ cup sour cream
• 3 russet potatoes, cooked and cubed
• ¼ cup bacon, diced
• 1 block cheddar cheese, cut into strips
• ⅔ cup cornstarch
• 100 g panko breadcrumbs
• Flour (for coating)
• 1 egg (beaten, for coating)
• 1 liter vegetable oil or canola/peanut oil (for frying)

Directions:
1. Prepare the Potatoes:
o Cook the russet potatoes until tender. Once cooked, cube them into small pieces and set aside.
2. Prepare the Cheese and Bacon:
o Dice the bacon and cook it until crispy. Drain any excess fat. Cut the cheddar cheese into strips that can fit into the potato cubes.
3. Combine Ingredients:
o In a large bowl, mix the cubed potatoes, diced green onions, crispy bacon, and sour cream. Add salt and pepper, stirring to combine.
4. Assemble the Cheese Sticks:
o Take a small amount of the potato mixture and form it around a cheese strip, ensuring the cheese is fully covered. Repeat until all the potato mixture and cheese strips are used.
5. Coat the Sticks:
o Set up a breading station with three bowls: one with flour, one with the beaten egg, and one with cornstarch mixed with panko breadcrumbs.
o First, dip each potato cheese stick into the flour, then the egg, and finally coat it with the panko breadcrumb mixture.
6. Fry the Cheese Sticks:
o Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
o Carefully drop the coated cheese sticks into the hot oil and fry for 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
7. Drain and Serve:
o Remove the fried cheese sticks from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.