In all my years living in and visiting Israel, I never tired of the crisp, freshly breaded and fried cutlets known as schnitzel. Adapted by immigrants from the classic Viennese Wiener Schnitzel made with veal, the Israeli version originally featured turkey, which was much more plentiful at the onset of the Jewish state than beef, or even chicken. In Israel you’ll find a wide variety of schnitzel, adapted to adhere to familial or ethnic traditions and tastes. I like mine a bit spicy and add sesame seeds for a subtle nuttiness. I also prefer a coating of bread crumbs, which provide a crisper crust than matzah meal, which is denser and absorbs more oil.
The spices here are only a recommendation — it’s fun to adjust the herbs to your liking. The smaller tenders make a great snack for kids, and any leftover schnitzel is superb as a day-after sandwich, stuffed into a pita with some salad and a drizzle of tahini.
Schnitzel: Israeli Cutlets
Israeli schnitzel is the perfect fried comfort food.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients
- ½ tsp salt + more for seasoning
- ¼ tsp black pepper + more for seasoning
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp chili powder or cayenne
- 1½ lbs skinless boneless chicken or turkey breast (about 6 breasts)
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup oil, for frying
- ½ tsp dried parsley
Instructions
- Combine the salt, black pepper, bread crumbs, sesame seeds, paprika, garlic powder and chili powder/cayenne in a Ziploc bag and shake to combine.
- Transfer to a shallow pie plate or other similar dish. Reserve.
- Trim tenders from chicken and reserve. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound lightly with a mallet to an even thickness of about ¼ inch.
- Dredge cutlets and tenders in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a heavy skillet until hot but not smoking.
- Working in batches, lay two cutlets in pan and fry until underside is golden brown and crisp, about 2-3 minutes.
- Flip and fry an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels, season with salt and pepper to taste, sprinkle with dried parsley and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Israeli
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