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{{Image|escalope_cooked.jpg|right|275px|A homemade schnitzel with its usual accompaniment of apple sauce.}}
{{Image|escalope_cooked.jpg|right|275px|A homemade schnitzel with American accompaniments.}}
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A '''schnitzel''' is a thin slice of meat. The word is of German origin and in German-speaking countries
"schnitzel" is also used to describe dishes prepared with such a slice. If no other preparation is mentioned, then a schnitzel is a ''breaded'' or [[Wiener schnitzel]], a schnitzel fried with a coating of egg and breadcrumbs, called in French an ''escalope''.


The '''schnitzel''' is usually prepared from a thin cutlet of veal although chicken or pork cutlets can be used instead of veal. Always cooked in butter or oil, the cutlet may or may not be sautéed as the cutlet may also be deep-fat fried. Variations of the schnitzel abound as this most famous recipe traveled throughout Europe.
While the Wiener schnitzel of the international cuisine knows many variants—both of the meat used and the garnish accompanying it—its prototype, the Austrian speciality [[Wiener Schnitzel]], has to be made with veal and should be accompanied by potatoes and a lemon wedge.
 
== Preparation ==
A schnitzel is usually prepared from a thin cutlet of veal, although chicken, pork, or turkey cutlets can be used instead. Always cooked in butter or oil, the [[breaded]] cutlet is generally sautéed but occasionally is deep-fried in oil or fat. Many variations of the schnitzel developed as this well-known recipe spread throughout Europe.


== Origin legends ==
== Origin legends ==
The breaded schnitzel is a dish from Austria although variations of this dish are eaten throughout Europe including Germany, France, and Italy. Two frequently repeated legends claim to describe its origin:


The breaded schnitzel is a dish from Austria although variations of this dish are eaten throughout Europe including Germany and Italy.
* The first legend derives it from a 16th-century practice of serving meat covered in gold, or even traces it back to the [[Byzantine Empire]], in particular to Basileios I (867–886 AD). According to this legend, the effort to imitate the golden appearance eventually lead to cutlets being cooked in bread crumbs. The bread crumbs were substituted to represent the gold leaf-covered meat as a cost-saving measure.<ref name="urlGerman Food Guide - Schnitzel">{{cite web
The recipe has a long history. Two frequently repeated legends claim to describe its origin:
* The first legend dates it back to the seventh century of the Byzantine empire. It says that "Kaiser"(sic!, ''Kaiser'' is German for ''emperor'') Basileios (867–886 AD) liked eating his meat covered in gold, which eventually lead to cutlets being cooked in bread crumbs. The bread crumbs were substituted to represent the gold leaf-covered meat as a cost-saving measure. The practice of preparing meat wrapped in bread crumbs spread throughout Europe.
 
Of historical note, etymological sources indicate the term Kaiser was used by all Germanic and Slavic peoples in reference to all Roman emperors. "from Bavarian and Austrian spelling of M.H.G. keisar, from O.H.G. keisar "emperor," an early borrowing of L. cognomen Caesar (q.v.). The Germanic and Slavic peoples seem to have called all Roman emperors "caesar" (cf. O.E. casere, O.N. keisari). Said to be the earliest Latin loan word in Germanic."<ref name="urlOnline Etymology Dictionary">{{cite web
|url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=kaiser
|title=Online Etymology Dictionary
|format=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-09
}}</ref>
<ref name="urldefinition of kaiser from Oxford Dictionaries Online">{{cite web
|url=http://oxforddictionaries.com/view/entry/m_en_us1260443?rskey=4bADRY&result=2#m_en_us1260443
|title=definition of kaiser from Oxford Dictionaries Online
|format=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-09
}}</ref>
<ref name="urlGerman Food Guide - Schnitzel">{{cite web
|url=http://www.germanfoodguide.com/schnitzel.cfm
|url=http://www.germanfoodguide.com/schnitzel.cfm
|title=German Food Guide - Schnitzel
|title=German Food Guide - Schnitzel
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|work=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-08
|accessdate=2010-08-08
}}</ref><ref name="urlBerliner Schnitzelstuga i Ytterån - The History of Wiener Schnitzel">{{cite web
}}</ref> The practice of preparing meat wrapped in bread crumbs spread throughout Europe.
|url=http://www.berliner-schnitzelstuga.se/?The_History_of_Wiener_Schnitzel
 
|title=Berliner Schnitzelstuga i Ytterån - The History of Wiener Schnitzel
* Another unproven story claims that the schnitzel was discovered in Italy by Austrian Joseph Graf Radetzky in the 1800s. The dish Radetzky discovered was known as ''costoletta alla milanese'' and was made from a thick slice of veal, coated in bread crumbs, then sautéed in butter. Radetzky, who served as commander of the Austrian troops from 1831 to 1857, shared the recipe with the emperor of Austria as part of his duties to report military, political and culinary affairs in Italy. After Radetzky had shared the ''costoletta alla milanese'' recipe, Austrian cooks perfected the recipe by pounding veal until it was a finger-width thick, and dipping the cutlets in flour, egg and bread crumbs. The cutlets were cooked in hot fat until golden.<ref name="urlAll About Wiener Schnitzel | The Hungarian Girl">{{cite web
|format=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-08
}}</ref>
* Another unproven story claims that the schnitzel was discovered in Italy by Austrian Joseph Graf Radetzky in the 1800s. The dish Radetzky discovered was known as ''costoletta alla milanese'' and was made from a thick slice of veal, coated in bread crumbs, then sautéed in butter. Radetzky, who served as commander of the Austrian troops from 1831 to 1857, shared the recipe with the emperor of Austria as part of his duties to report military, political and culinary affairs in Italy. After Radetzky had shared the ''costoletta alla milanese'' recipe, Austrian cooks perfected the recipe by pounding veal until it was a finger-width thick, dipped the cutlets in flour, egg and bread crumbs. The cutlets were cooked in hot fat until golden.<ref name="urlAll About Wiener Schnitzel | The Hungarian Girl">{{cite web
|url=http://thehungariangirl.com/2009/11/23/all-about-wiener-schnitzel/
|url=http://thehungariangirl.com/2009/11/23/all-about-wiener-schnitzel/
|title=All About Wiener Schnitzel &#124; The Hungarian Girl
|title=All About Wiener Schnitzel &#124; The Hungarian Girl
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|work=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-08
|accessdate=2010-08-08
}}</ref><ref name="urlGoogle Translate">{{cite web
}}</ref><ref name="urlGoogle Translate"/>
|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gutekueche.de%2Fjournal%2Fartikel%2F36%2C2%2Fgeschichte-und-herkunft.html&sl=de&tl=en&act=url
|title=Google Translate
|format=
|work=
|accessdate=2010-08-08
}}</ref>


Both stories could not be verified by historians.
Neither story has been confirmed by historians.


== Ingredients and preparation ==
== Ingredients==
Veal schnitzels are traditional but variations include cooking pork or chicken cutlets instead. The same technique is used as for veal.
{{Image|escalope_uncooked.jpg|right|150px|A homemade schnitzel with its breading, waiting to be refrigerated, then cooked}}


Schnitzels may also be prepared minus the breading, when they are known as ''au naturel'' or ''au nature''.<ref name="isbn0-517-50663-7">{{cite book
Schnitzels may also be prepared without the breading, when they are known as ''au naturel'' or ''au nature''.<ref name="isbn0-517-50663-7">{{cite book
|author=Gary, Joy; Schuler, Elizabeth
|author=Gary, Joy; Schuler, Elizabeth
|title=German cookery
|title=German cookery
Line 85: Line 62:
|doi=
|doi=
|accessdate=
|accessdate=
}}</ref>
}}</ref> In this case, they are sometimes dusted with seasoned or plain flour before being cooked.


The Wiener schnitzel originated from [[Vienna]] and is made from veal. This dish is often found at [[German]] [[restaurant]]s too.<ref name="urlGerman Food Guide - Schnitzel">{{cite web
Variations in preparing schnitzels include cheese schnitzel where the veal cutlet is prepared as for Wiener schnitzel but is dipped in a half-and-half mixture of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. This dish is served with a lemon slice for garnish.
| url = http://www.germanfoodguide.com/schnitzel.cfm
| title = German Food Guide - Schnitzel
| format =
| work =
| accessdate =
}}</ref><ref name="urlGoogle Translate">{{cite web
| url = http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gutekueche.de%2Fjournal%2Fartikel%2F36%2C2%2Fgeschichte-und-herkunft.html&sl=de&tl=en&act=url
| title = Google Translate
| format =
| work =
| accessdate =
}}</ref>
{{Image|escalope_uncooked.jpg|right|150px|A homemade schnitzel with its breading, waiting to be refrigerated, then cooked}}
Some ways to prepare schnitzels include cheese schnitzel where the veal cutlet is prepared as for Wiener schnitzel. The cutlet is dipped in a half and half mixture of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. This dish is served with a lemon slice for garnish.


Almond schnitzels have veal dipped in [[sour cream]] then [[almond]]s before cooking.<ref name="isbn0-394-40138-7">{{cite book
Almond schnitzels are veal dipped in [[sour cream]] and then [[almond]]s before cooking.<ref name="isbn0-394-40138-7">{{cite book
| author = Sheraton, Mimi
| author = Sheraton, Mimi
| title = The German cookbook; a complete guide to mastering authentic German cooking
| title = The German cookbook; a complete guide to mastering authentic German cooking
Line 137: Line 100:
|accessdate=
|accessdate=
}}</ref>
}}</ref>
=== Breaded schnitzel ===
In Austria, breading is a very common and frequently applied technique that is not only used with veal (for a Wiener Schnitzel),
but with a large variety of meat and even non-meat ingredients. Such dishes are called ''-schnitzel'' or ''-schnitzel nach Wiener Art''
(Viennese style) or described as ''gebacken''.
When veal is replaced with the cheaper pork the result is a ''Schweinsschnitzel'', the most common schnitzel.
A ''Putenschnitzel'' is made with turkey.<ref>
Turkey cutlets from large pieces of the breast meat are big enough to resemble genuine veal cutlets and are sometimes substituted in restaurant  cooking by unscrupulous cooks.<!-- Many Internet recipes can be found in which turkey cutlets are used in place of veal; one such reads "Viennese breaded cutlet (dunajski zrezek), which used to be made with veal, is now made with pork or turkey." [http://www.ff.uni-lj.si/publikacije/sft/eating.htm]--></ref>
Another notable Austrian speciality is the ''(Wiener) Backhuhn'' or ''Backhendl'' (chicken).
There is ''Gebackene Leber'' (liver), ''Hirn gebacken'' (brain), ''Gebackenes Bries'' (sweetbread), or ''Karpfen gebacken'' (carp).
The ''Cordon bleu'' is a breaded schnitzel filled with ham and cheese.
Vegetarian dishes are ''Gebackenes Gemüse'' (mixed vegetables), ''Gebackene Champignons'' and ''Gebackene Steinpilze'' (mushrooms),
or ''Gebackener Emmentaler'' (Emmenthaler, Swiss cheese).


== Similar dishes ==
== Similar dishes ==
Veal cordon bleu, veal parmigiana and veal scallop (or ''escalope de veau Orloff'') all use similar cooking techniques as schnitzel. Veal cordon bleu has veal cutlets stuffed with prosciutto or smoked ham with Swiss cheese. The filling is sandwiched between veal cutlets, breaded and cooked in butter. Veal parmigiana is prepared by breading the cutlets in Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs then sautéing the cutlets in clarified butter. The cutlets are then served with a tomato sauce. Veal scallop has veal cutlets sautéed in clarified butter a soubise mixture of cooked rice, onions and mushrooms are sandwiched between the veal cutlets. The cutlets are then covered with a small amount of liver paste, sprinkled with brandy or dry sherry and then receive a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. They are then baked until the cheese is golden.<ref name="isbn0-02-604570-2">{{cite book
Veal cordon bleu, veal parmigiana, and many veal scallop dishes, including, for instance, ''escalope de veau Orloff'', all use similar cooking techniques as schnitzel. Veal cordon bleu has veal cutlets stuffed with prosciutto or smoked ham with Swiss cheese. The filling is sandwiched between veal cutlets, breaded and cooked in butter. Veal parmigiana is prepared by breading the cutlets in Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs then sautéing the cutlets in clarified butter. The cutlets are then served with a tomato sauce. Scallops of veal Orloff is a veal cutlet sautéed in clarified butter then covered with a ''soubise'', a thick mixture of cooked rice, onions, and mushrooms. Yet another recipe using veal or pork schnitzel is Jägerschnitzel, where ''Jäger'' means hunter. The cutlet, which may or may not be breaded, is topped with a burgundy-mushroom sauce.
| author = Becker, Marion Rombauer; Rombauer, Irma von Starkloff
| title = Joy of cooking
| publisher = Bobbs-Merrill
| location = Indianapolis
| year = 1975
| pages =
| isbn = 0-02-604570-2
| oclc =
| doi =
| accessdate =
}}</ref>
 
One of the best recipes using veal or pork schnitzel is Jägerschnitzel (''Jäger'' means hunter). The cutlet is topped with a burgundy-mushroom sauce that may or may not be breaded.


== References ==
== References ==
<small>
<references>


</references>
</small>


{{reflist}}
[[Category:Suggestion Bot Tag]]

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(CC) Photo: Hayford Peirce
A homemade schnitzel with American accompaniments.

A schnitzel is a thin slice of meat. The word is of German origin and in German-speaking countries "schnitzel" is also used to describe dishes prepared with such a slice. If no other preparation is mentioned, then a schnitzel is a breaded or Wiener schnitzel, a schnitzel fried with a coating of egg and breadcrumbs, called in French an escalope.

While the Wiener schnitzel of the international cuisine knows many variants—both of the meat used and the garnish accompanying it—its prototype, the Austrian speciality Wiener Schnitzel, has to be made with veal and should be accompanied by potatoes and a lemon wedge.

Preparation

A schnitzel is usually prepared from a thin cutlet of veal, although chicken, pork, or turkey cutlets can be used instead. Always cooked in butter or oil, the breaded cutlet is generally sautéed but occasionally is deep-fried in oil or fat. Many variations of the schnitzel developed as this well-known recipe spread throughout Europe.

Origin legends

The breaded schnitzel is a dish from Austria although variations of this dish are eaten throughout Europe including Germany, France, and Italy. Two frequently repeated legends claim to describe its origin:

  • The first legend derives it from a 16th-century practice of serving meat covered in gold, or even traces it back to the Byzantine Empire, in particular to Basileios I (867–886 AD). According to this legend, the effort to imitate the golden appearance eventually lead to cutlets being cooked in bread crumbs. The bread crumbs were substituted to represent the gold leaf-covered meat as a cost-saving measure.[1][2] The practice of preparing meat wrapped in bread crumbs spread throughout Europe.
  • Another unproven story claims that the schnitzel was discovered in Italy by Austrian Joseph Graf Radetzky in the 1800s. The dish Radetzky discovered was known as costoletta alla milanese and was made from a thick slice of veal, coated in bread crumbs, then sautéed in butter. Radetzky, who served as commander of the Austrian troops from 1831 to 1857, shared the recipe with the emperor of Austria as part of his duties to report military, political and culinary affairs in Italy. After Radetzky had shared the costoletta alla milanese recipe, Austrian cooks perfected the recipe by pounding veal until it was a finger-width thick, and dipping the cutlets in flour, egg and bread crumbs. The cutlets were cooked in hot fat until golden.[3][2]

Neither story has been confirmed by historians.

Ingredients

(CC) Photo: Hayford Peirce
A homemade schnitzel with its breading, waiting to be refrigerated, then cooked

Schnitzels may also be prepared without the breading, when they are known as au naturel or au nature.[4][5] In this case, they are sometimes dusted with seasoned or plain flour before being cooked.

Variations in preparing schnitzels include cheese schnitzel where the veal cutlet is prepared as for Wiener schnitzel but is dipped in a half-and-half mixture of Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. This dish is served with a lemon slice for garnish.

Almond schnitzels are veal dipped in sour cream and then almonds before cooking.[6][7][8]

Breaded schnitzel

In Austria, breading is a very common and frequently applied technique that is not only used with veal (for a Wiener Schnitzel), but with a large variety of meat and even non-meat ingredients. Such dishes are called -schnitzel or -schnitzel nach Wiener Art (Viennese style) or described as gebacken.

When veal is replaced with the cheaper pork the result is a Schweinsschnitzel, the most common schnitzel. A Putenschnitzel is made with turkey.[9] Another notable Austrian speciality is the (Wiener) Backhuhn or Backhendl (chicken).

There is Gebackene Leber (liver), Hirn gebacken (brain), Gebackenes Bries (sweetbread), or Karpfen gebacken (carp).

The Cordon bleu is a breaded schnitzel filled with ham and cheese.

Vegetarian dishes are Gebackenes Gemüse (mixed vegetables), Gebackene Champignons and Gebackene Steinpilze (mushrooms), or Gebackener Emmentaler (Emmenthaler, Swiss cheese).

Similar dishes

Veal cordon bleu, veal parmigiana, and many veal scallop dishes, including, for instance, escalope de veau Orloff, all use similar cooking techniques as schnitzel. Veal cordon bleu has veal cutlets stuffed with prosciutto or smoked ham with Swiss cheese. The filling is sandwiched between veal cutlets, breaded and cooked in butter. Veal parmigiana is prepared by breading the cutlets in Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs then sautéing the cutlets in clarified butter. The cutlets are then served with a tomato sauce. Scallops of veal Orloff is a veal cutlet sautéed in clarified butter then covered with a soubise, a thick mixture of cooked rice, onions, and mushrooms. Yet another recipe using veal or pork schnitzel is Jägerschnitzel, where Jäger means hunter. The cutlet, which may or may not be breaded, is topped with a burgundy-mushroom sauce.

References

  1. German Food Guide - Schnitzel (i). Retrieved on 2010-08-08.
  2. 2.0 2.1 GuteKueche — das Gourmet Portal (automatically translated from German). Retrieved on 2010-08-08.
  3. All About Wiener Schnitzel | The Hungarian Girl. Retrieved on 2010-08-08.
  4. Gary, Joy; Schuler, Elizabeth (1983). German cookery. New York: Crown Publishers. ISBN 0-517-50663-7. 
  5. Wason, Betty (1967). German cookery. New York: Doubleday and Company. ISBN None. 
  6. Sheraton, Mimi (1965). The German cookbook; a complete guide to mastering authentic German cooking. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-394-40138-7. 
  7. Hanna, Elaine; Anderson, Jean Bradley (1985). The new Doubleday cookbook. Garden City, N.Y: Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-19577-X. 
  8. Beard, James (1980). James Beard's American Cookery. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0-316-08566-9. 
  9. Turkey cutlets from large pieces of the breast meat are big enough to resemble genuine veal cutlets and are sometimes substituted in restaurant cooking by unscrupulous cooks.