Wiener schnitzel

Wiener schnitzel is a famous food from Austria. It is made from a thin piece of veal that is coated in breadcrumbs and fried until it is golden and crispy. This dish is very popular in Vienna, the capital city of Austria, and people all over the world enjoy it.

The name "Wiener schnitzel" means "Viennese cutlet" in German. It is a special part of Viennese cuisine and is one of Austria’s most famous dishes. Many restaurants serve this tasty meal, and it is often enjoyed with sides like potatoes or salad.

Because it is made from veal, which is young cow meat, the schnitzel is tender and soft. The breading adds a crunchy texture that makes it even more delicious. Whether you spell it "Wiener schnitzel" or "Wienerschnitzel," this dish is a tasty tradition from Austria.

History and etymology

The name Wiener Schnitzel first appeared in the 1800s. The earliest known mention was in a cookbook from 1831. In a cookbook from southern Germany by Katharina Prato, it was called eingebröselte Kalbsschnitzchen, meaning "breaded veal cutlets."

One story says that a military leader named Joseph Radetzky von Radetz brought the recipe from Italy to Vienna in 1857. However, a linguist named Heinz-Dieter Pohl says this story was made up. He found the dish’s first mention connected to Radetzky in 1869 in an Italian food book, which was later published in German in 1871. Pohl says the story is really about a different dish called veal Milanese.

Before the Wiener Schnitzel, Austrian cuisine had other breaded and fried dishes, like Backhendl, which was first mentioned in a cookbook from 1719. The Wiener Schnitzel was later named similarly to the Backhendl.

In 1887, a writer named E. F. Knight described a Wiener schnitzel he ate in a Rotterdam cafe.

Preparation

The Wiener schnitzel is made from thin slices of veal. The meat is flattened, salted, and coated in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. The schnitzel is fried until it turns golden brown.

It is often served with potato salad, lettuce, or french fries.

Similar dishes

A popular variation uses pork instead of veal because it is cheaper. In Austria, the real Wiener Schnitzel must be made from veal. When pork is used, it can be called Wiener Schnitzel from pork or Viennese style schnitzel.

Other dishes similar to Wiener schnitzel include Surschnitzel (from cured meat) and breaded turkey or chicken steaks. There is also cotoletta alla milanese, schnitzel cordon bleu filled with ham and cheese, and Pariser Schnitzel. In America, chicken-fried steak is often thought to be related to Wiener schnitzel.

Tonkatsu is a fried pork cutlet from Japanese cuisine.

Milanesa is a similar dish enjoyed in Argentina and Uruguay.

In Israel, schnitzel is very popular. It was first brought there by European Jews. Because of food shortages and high meat prices, the Israeli version was made from chicken breast instead. Today, Israeli schnitzel is still made from chicken. It has become one of Israel’s most loved dishes.