Fried Mozzarella Puffs

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup marinara sauce, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 anchovy fillet
• 4 ounces low-moisture mozzarella cheese
• 4 cups canola oil for frying

Steps

1. Combine water, butter, and salt in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer; pour in flour all at once and reduce heat to medium. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until dough starts coming together. Cook, scraping up and stirring dough, for 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; transfer dough to a large bowl. Let cool until no longer hot but still very warm, 5 to 10 minutes. Add egg and season with cayenne and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk vigorously until mixture combines into a very soft, sticky dough. Switch to a spatula and scrape dough into a ball.
3. Seal dough and spatula with plastic wrap; place into the refrigerator until cool, about 1 hour.
4. Meanwhile, season marinara sauce with balsamic vinegar, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a small pot over medium heat. Add anchovy fillet. Stir together and bring to a simmer. Let simmer for 10 minutes; turn off heat and let sit, covered, until ready to use.
5. Remove dough from the refrigerator; uncover. Grate mozzarella cheese over dough and stir to combine.
6. Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy-duty pan over medium heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (93 degrees C) or any temperature for keeping warm.
7. Scoop out about 2 tablespoons dough per puff and form into a football shape using two spoons.
8. Fry puffs, 5 or 6 at a time, in hot oil until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Keep puffs warm in the preheated oven while frying remaining dough. Serve with hot marinara sauce.