Italian Mozzarella Wings (Rachael Ray)

Ingredients

• 12 chicken wings, tips discarded and wings separated at the joint
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 24 cubes
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup unseasoned breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt
• 2 cups tomato puree
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375*. Cut a slit into the meatiest part of each wing. Stuff each wing with a mozzarella cube and pull the meat and skin back over the cheese.

2. 2

   In a shallow bowl, beat the egg; in another shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and parmesan and season with salt. Working with 1 wing at a time, coat each with the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture, and place on a greased rack set on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake until golden, about 40 minutes.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the tomato puree and cayenne over medium heat; season with salt. Serve with the wings.

4. 4

   TIP: For super-spicy wings, use pepper jack cheese.