Mozzarella Sticks 'Marinara' with a roast tomato, garlic and oregano dip

‘All of the popular flavours in Italian cuisine in one easy-to-prepare, but truly delicious appetizer. This combination of flavours is based on the world-renowned pizza marinara. Here, you can prepare the home-made sauce by roasting the tomatoes with the garlic and olive oil yourself. If you find that's too labour intensive for you, then there are many great ready-made sauces available that you can adapt to your own taste, by adding some fresh oregano or basil, for example.'

1. Wash the vine tomatoes carefully, keeping them attached to the vine, and gently place them into a small oven dish or baking tray.
2. Sprinkle them generously with the olive oil, and then add the sea salt and black pepper.
3. Add in the unpeeled garlic cloves and cover the oven dish with aluminium foil.
4. Place the oven dish in the oven at 180°C for about 30 minutes. Allow the dish to cool and remove the vines and garlic clove casings.
5. Puree the roasted tomatoes and garlic to a coarse texture and check the seasoning again, adding more salt and pepper if required. Now mix in the finely cut oregano.

Serving

1. Deep-fry the Mozzarella Sticks at 175°C for about 2 minutes. Allow to rest in a warm place for another 2 minutes.
2. Serve with a side of the tomato, garlic and oregano dip.
3. Garnish with a bouquet of lettuce and some oregano leaves.