Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

• 1 lb. block (I got a "block" from my deli department) mozzarella cheese, cut into about 3-inch by 1/2-inch square sticks
• 3 ⁄ 4 cup flour - I used rice flour
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups Margo Morsels Primo Parmesan finely crumbed, I like the little extra flavor "kick"
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
• 1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. chile flakes or, more if you like your sauce to have a little more heat
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• canola oil, for frying