Story & photos by Dr. Micgael Lim The Travelling GourmetTM
All rights reserved
The suave and intrepid tells you about the best Wienerschnitzels in…
MAGNIFICENT Wien. Crispy outside, moist and very tender inside, thin yet very satisfying to eat…classic Viennese Wienerschnitzel is a super-thin crumbed slice of veal (usually about 800g) flash fried in very hot oil until gold-brown. OMG! YUMMY! It is then served with a lemon wedge, sometimes Ligonberry jam and Kartoffel potato salat (German Potato Salad) or Pomme Frites (French Fries) or boiled potatoes with parsley and butter, but not all three. You squeeze fresh lemon juice on the Schnitzel before enjoying it.
Legend has it that gold dust was added to the crumb mixture in order to achieve even better golden brown color.
Wiener Schnitzel simply means…
Schnitzel in the Viennese style. Vienna is Wien in Oesterreich.
Like Champagne, the term Wiener Schnitzel is protected by law. All and any schnitzel called by that name MUST be made from veal.
“Wiener Schnitzel and its Italian counterpart, Cotoletta Milanese, involved two Hapsburg domains in a bitter culinary dispute. Both Austrian and Italian branches of the family claimed credit for the invention of the dish. The Italian branch traced their claim way back to a banquet in 1134 for the Canon of Milan‘s St. Ambrogio Cathedral.”
Historical Fact Man has pounded meat to make it tender for thousands of years. However, there is eveidence that Apicus in Roman times (1st Century BC) prepared a thin slice of meat coated dredged in bread crumbs and then fried it in the 1 century BC. Apicus was credited with writing the 1st cookbook. Roman Legions brought their cuisine to the Germanic countries they conquered… |
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In the Middle Ages, records reveal that it was very popular in both Northern Italy, and what is now Austria. Veal was the meat of choice.
In Northern Italy this dish goes back to a banquet given in 1134 for the canon of Milan’s St. Ambrogio Cathedral.”A dish was served called Cotoletta alla Milanese. Very similar to the Austrian Schnitzel BUT it was a veal chop with bone, pounded and breaded and served with lemon.
The main difference is the Italian version has the bone-in BUT the Austrian version is boneless. Another legend is that Wiener Schnitzel goes back to at least 1862. A famous Austrian General that was based close close to Milan, introduced it.
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![]() Figlmüllers arguably makes the biggest & best Schnitzel in Wien. It is NOT Wienerschnitzel because they use pork! The Schwein-Schnitzel goes into 4 different pans to get the perfect level crispiness. |
Please see related article:
https://thetravellinggourmet.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/wine-wurst-duesseldorf/
To be continued…
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