SCHNITZEL

Ingredients 

• 4 (5-ounce) veal cutlets (or chicken or pork cutlets, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or brown rice flour)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs (large and well-beaten)
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• Oil or lard (for frying, lard is traditional)

Steps to Make It 

1. Gather the ingredients.
2. To pound meat thinly, place the cutlet between sheets of plastic wrap for easier washing up. Use a heavy, flat-surfaced pan to pound if you don’t have a meat mallet.
3. Pound the meat evenly to 1/4-inch thickness for best results.
4. To bread the schnitzels, set up 3 shallow dishes: place the flour and salt in one dish, the eggs in the second dish, and the breadcrumbs in the third dish.
5. In a large skillet, heat at least 1/4-inch of oil to 350 F.
6. Working one at a time, dredge cutlets first in flour until the surface is completely dry.
7. Dip in egg to coat, allow the excess to drip off for a few seconds.
8. Then roll quickly in the breadcrumbs until coated. Do not press the breadcrumbs into the meat. The crust should not adhere completely but form a loose shell around the schnitzel.
9. Immediately place meat in the pan with the hot oil. Do not crowd the pan. Cook the schnitzel in batches, if necessary.
10. Fry the schnitzel for 3 to 4 minutes on one side. Make sure the breaded meat “swims” in fat. Contrary to instinct, the breading will take on less oil than if the meat is sticking to the pan. Also, the breadcrumb topping has a chance to puff up a little, and your clean-up is easier! You may want to swish them around a little with your fork to make sure they are not sticking to the pan.
11. Turn them over once and fry an additional 3 minutes or until both sides are golden brown. Remove from pan, allow the oil to drain off.
12. Wiener schnitzel traditionally is served with lemon slices and a green salad, potato salad, or cucumber salad and sometimes with french fries.