Schnitzel in Bavaria
The schnitzel is such an important part of the traditional German food culture that many believe it originated in Germany. But the jury is still out on the birth of the first schnitzel. Some believed it came from the Bohemian woods of what is now the Czech Republic, others say it came from Austria or Italy.
It doesn’t really matter to me. As long as I can find a variation of the schnitzel in a restaurant while in Bavaria, I am happy.
When searching for traditional German food recipes in restaurants, schnitzel is a delicious choice. And there are many types and specialties from which to choose.
Basically, a schnitzel is a boneless cut of meat which is sometimes breaded and then fried. It is usually a thin cutlet of veal or pork, although poultry such as chicken or turkey can also be called a schnitzel.
Name that Schnitzel
The classic Wiener (Vienna style) Schnitzel is always made with veal (kalb). It is breaded and served with a lemon wedge and lingonberry jam.
Other types of meat used for Schnitzels are: Schweine (pork), Hänchen (chicken) and Puten (turkey).
The cutlet of meat is typically pounded to further tenderize it. Then, depending on the recipe, it is fried - either plain or breaded. The schnitzel is served with or without a sauce and often comes with Pommes Frites (Fried potatoes) are often served on the side.
Two of my favorite schnitzels with sauce are:
Jäger-Schnitzel : This is made with veal or pork and topped with a burgundy-mushroom or a creamy-mushroom sauce. Traditionally, this schnitzel is not breaded before frying. However, you will often find a breaded schnitzel ("Wiener Art") topped with the sauce. Spatzle, the small German dumplings or noodles go especially well with the sauce.
Zigeuner-Schnitzel : This is traditionally made from pork, but can also be made with veal, chicken or turkey and has a bread-crumb or flour coating. It is then covered in a sauce of red peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomato paste, red wine, and chicken broth.
And I can’t leave out another favorite:
Käse-Schnitzel: A schnitzel covered in melted cheese. The meat can be either veal, pork, turkey, or chicken. Yum!
If you want a taste of some famous traditional German food while in Bavaria, you can’t miss with Schnitzel. Whether it originated in Bavaria or not, it doesn’t matter. They know how to do it right and have made it their own.
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