Chinese Takeout Crab Sticks

This recipe is a copycat of one of my childhood takeout favorites. I just happened upon imitation crabmeat at the supermarket here that was in the form of sticks, so I decided to seek out panko breadcrumbs and eggs and I was ready to go. Granted, this is not a healthy recipe, but it is a comfort food that I was missing so far from home. The recipe is quick and easy, and doesn't require many ingredients!

Ingredients:
8 imitation crab sticks
1/2 cup of flour
2 eggs, cracked and whisked
1 cup of panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
Canola or vegetable oil for deep frying

Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Place each of the other ingredients into their own shallow dish and line the dishes up in the same order as they are listed.

Breading station (missing the flour!)

Dredge one crab stick at a time into the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs to form a nice coating on each. Place each breaded crab stick into the oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes, turning to make sure each side fries golden brown. Remove from the oil and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the other crab sticks, and serve with tartar or sweet chili sauce.

Note: The flour helps the egg stick to the crab stick, and the eggs help to hold onto the breadcrumbs. I made mine without the flour (didn't have any), so the breading was very thin. Next time I will try with the flour!