Wiener Schnitzel (from the German Wiener Schnitzel, meaning veal fillet Viennese style) is one of the most famous traditional Austrian dishes. Possibly originating in Northern Italy (as cotoletta alla milanese), the recipe may have appeared in Vienna during the 15th or 16th century. According to another theory, it was introduced by Field Marshal Radetzky in 1857. The name "Wiener schnitzel" was coined in 1900.

Wiener Schnitzel has also made appearances in media. For instance, in The Sound of Music, the song, "My Favorite Things", has a second verse that includes the lines, "Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels, doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles". In Hoodwinked the woodsman drives a truck selling schnitzel-on-a-stick. On a side note, due to his Austrian upbringing, actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has been known to enjoy the occasional schnitzel.

Information

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The schnitzel is traditionally prepared from a thinly-sliced piece of veal, which is further tenderized by pounding with steak hammer, then successively dipped into wheat, flour, eggs and breadcrumbs before being fried in clarified butter or lard. Sometimes the breadcrumbs are seasoned with freshly ground black pepper. It is now, more often made with thin pork escalopes.

Traditionally, Wiener schnitzel is served with potato salad and a lemon slice. Roasted potatoes, french fries, rice or cranberry sauce are optional but considered bad cooking etiquette by purists. Unlike in Austria, it is served with gravy in Sweden. In Australia, schnitzel (often pronounced "snitzel") has become a favourite "pub meal", usually made from beef or chicken rather than veal, and commonly served with gravy and chips (french fries) or as parmigiana topped with tomato sauce and cheese. In Israel, schnitzel (שניצל) refers to pounded chicken or turkey breasts, breaded or not. It is so popular as to be staple; ketchup and hummus are common condiments, while French fries and rice are common sides. Schnitzel is also highly popular in the Czech Republic where it is known as a řízek, and is often served with boiled or mashed potatoes. Polish kotlet schabowy is similar, but lighter.

Originally a festive dish—in the 17th and 18th centuries, sometimes gold dust was mixed into the breadcrumbs to provide an extra golden, luxurious colour—it has become one of the most popular meals among Austrians and is now enjoyed at all kinds of occasions. There are even Austrian fast food chains serving mostly schnitzels. Many restaurants offer cheaper schnitzels made from pork, and variants made of turkey have become popular more recently, but Austrian restaurant regulations require that "vom Schwein" (made of pork) or "von der Pute" (made of turkey) be indicated on the menu if no veal is used. Another alternative is "Schweineschnitzel Wiener Art" (Pork Schnitzel Vienna Style).

Variants

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Other variants of the Wiener schnitzel include, which are not all necessarily made with a breadcrumb crust:

• Cordon Bleu: "Blue Ribbon", two slices of meat filled with cheese and a slice of ham.
• Jägerschnitzel: "Hunter's Schnitzel", served with dark mushroom sauce.
• Zigeunerschnitzel: "Gipsy Schnitzel", served with a sauce with pepper slices.
• Rahmschnitzel: served with a sauce made of sour cream.
• Hamburger Schnitzel: topped with a fried egg.
• Chicken: Made of chicken, usually a cheaper alternative to others.
• Turkey: Made of filet of turkey breast, very popular in Israel, often called the national dish. Many Israelis were of Viennese or German origin, but during the early years of the state, veal was unobtainable, and turkey proved an inexpensive and tasty substitute.
• Vegetarian Schnitzel: Made of textured soy, tofu or seitan. The seasoning is in the breading so the consistency may differ slightly but the taste can be almost the same as that of a conventional Schnitzel.

See also

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• Wienerschnitzel, an American fast-food hot dog chain
• tonkatsu, Japanese style schnitzel made from pork.
• Milanesa, Latin American wiener schnitzel (from the Italian milanese)
• Austrian cuisine
• Chicken fried steak

References

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• This article draws heavily on the Wiener Schnitzel in the Hauptseite, accessed December 2004.

External links

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• Recipe for Wiener Schnitzel Wiener Schnitzel for Dummies - Austrian foodwriter residing in London gives a tutorial on what the real Wiener Schnitzel is all about
• Wiener Schnitzel and other Austrian recipes
• Schnitzelhaus (Austrian food chain only selling Schnitzel, page is in German)
• Wiener Schnitzel recipe
• Clarifies the difference between Wiener Schnitzel and the american fast food chain 'Der Wiener Schnitzel'

Austrian cuisine | German cuisine | German loanwords | Israeli cuisine | Meat

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