There’s no doubt about it: schnitzel is the most famous dish we have on our menu. It’s our namesake, after all. But where exactly did this delicious food come from? It’s said to hail from Germany, and other sources have stated that its roots may be in Austria. That being said, this tasty dish is found in several countries throughout Europe, where it remains a staple to this day. Curious to know how exactly this food originated? Let’s find out.
What Exactly is Schnitzel?
Schnitzel is a dish that uses a very thin boneless cutlet from meat such as veal, pork, beef or chicken. The meat can be breaded and then deep fried or it can also be pan fried and then be used as breading or just be consumed without the bread. Schnitzels also come in a variety of forms across different countries, but the recipe remains the same. If there’s one schnitzel that’s famous – it would be the Wienerschnitzel, which is from Austria. Traditionally, this dish is made out of veal and then is breaded by using breadcrumbs, and served with lemon juice.
Schnitzel Throughout the Times
Schnitzel has managed to conquer the taste buds of many people around the world, and you can easily find this dish in most European restaurants nowadays. As far as the origins of schnitzel go, there are many sources dating back in time which mention the process of tenderising pieces of meat by pounding out the slices. The process would then continue with the meat being dredged in breading and then fried. This method of cooking dates as far back as the 1st century BC, and was mainly done in Europe.
When you fast forward to the Middle Ages, schnitzel by then had managed to become extremely popular. Not only was it well loved in Germanic lands, but also Northern Italy and present day Austria. An important fact to note that the main meat used was veal – also known as wienerschnitzel. In the 1850s, many Germans immigrated to Texas. Beef was more widely available than veal or pork, so German immigrants began incorporating beef in their schnitzels rather than pork or veal. Since beef was not as tender as pork or veal, pounding out beef began to be the new norm when making schnitzel.
What exactly is Wiener Schnitzel? | Taste the World without Leaving London (Country 11. Austria)
FAQ
What is schnitzel called in America?
What is traditional schnitzel made of?
What does schnitzel taste like?
Why is schnitzel popular in Germany?
What does schnitzel mean?
What Is a Schnitzel? A schnitzel is a thin, pounded cutlet, traditionally veal or pork, that’s breaded and pan-fried until golden and crisp. The dish is most associated with German and Austrian cuisines, and takes its name from the German word for cutlet.
Where does schnitzel come from?
The dish’s name actually comes from the German word schnitt, which translates to “cut.” The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel).
Is Schnitzel a German food?
German immigrants to Texas introduced schnitzel as part of their culinary heritage, and today schnitzel also takes the thoroughly Americanized form of chicken-fried steak. Schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities.
What kind of meat is used for schnitzel?
The most popular type of meat for schnitzel is veal (wiener-schnitzel) or pork (schweine-schnitzel), but you also see varieties made with chicken (hänchen-schnitzel), or turkey (puten-schnitzel). The breading is typically an easy coating of flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.