Meat main dishes

Milanese breaded cutlets

⏱ 20 min🍳 10 min👤 2 pp★★★☆☆

Here is one of those recipes that many tourists from abroad search out: no, we are not talking about pizza nor lasagne ... it’s a recipe for breaded Milanese meat cutlets, a classic of Italian cuisine and more specifically that of Lombardy. There is nothing better than a lovely cutlet cooked to perfection, tender inside and crispy outside, hot and tasty, fried only in clarified butter (or a clever mix of butter and olive oil) and served with the classic of classic mismatches, green salad and fries! Follow the recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to check out our tips for a successful outcome. You will get a luscious, mouth-watering recipe! And finally, remember: if you are really good cooks you should end up with a fairly thick cutlet which is also sufficiently crispy ... if you beat them too much or buy them cut too thin, it will be easier to get a crispy coating but it won’t be a real cutlet.

Ingredients

Nutritional values 420 kcal / serving

Protein
42g
Carbohydrates
15g
Fat
22g
Fiber
0.5g

* approximate values per serving

Information
20 minutes Total time
10 minutes Active time
Serves 2 persons
★★★☆☆ Challenging

Preparation

Prepare two plates: in one place the breadcrumbs, and in the other put the beaten eggs. Season the chops with salt, pepper and the vegetable stock granules, then dip them in the beaten egg before coating them in the breadcrumbs; if you want to repeat the process a second time the resulting coat of breadcrumbs will be more solid and consistent. Heat a frying pan with a knob of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil and brown the breaded cutlets for about ten minutes over a medium heat. The breaded Milanese meat cutlets are ready!

Tips
The trick to getting a mouth-wateringly good Milanese is to beat the meat hard before cooking and breading it: but this does not mean making it too thin, because this would be to change the essence of this classic dish.
Trivia
The Milanese breaded meat cutlet is also sometimes known as Wiener Schnitzel. The only difference between the two lies in the fact that the Milanese properly retains the bone, while the Viennese cutlet is made without the bone.

Step by step

Ingredients
Ingredients
**Click on the photos to access full step by step!

Additional information

Milanese Cutlet with Baked Potatoes

One of the tastiest variations of the Milanese Cutlet is certainly the one with baked potatoes. This pairing makes the dish even more substantial and complete. To prepare this recipe, simply slice the potatoes into rounds, season them with oil, salt, and rosemary, and bake them until golden. The combination of the crispiness of the cutlet with the softness of the potatoes creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Not only will you have a second course rich in taste, but also a side dish that will satisfy the most demanding palates. Serve the cutlet alongside the potatoes for a lunch or dinner in the spirit of Lombard culinary tradition.

Traditional Lombard Version of Milanese Cutlet

The Milanese Cutlet is a typical dish from Lombardy, prepared according to tradition with veal chops. This recipe calls for the meat to be breaded with a simple mix of eggs and breadcrumbs, without the addition of cheeses or special spices, to maintain the authentic flavor of the meat. The frying is done in butter, which gives the cutlet a rich and unmistakable flavor. The traditional preparation requires careful frying to achieve a golden and crispy crust, while the inside remains tender and juicy. This dish is often accompanied by a simple salad or lemon slices, to further enhance the flavor of the meat.

Light Milanese Cutlet without Breadcrumbs

For those who desire a lighter version of the Milanese Cutlet, it can be prepared without breadcrumbs. In this variant, you can use a coating made from almond flour or chickpea flour, which not only reduces calories but also adds a delicate and interesting flavor. The veal, always the star, is simply dusted with flour and cooked in a non-stick pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This cooking method reduces fat intake, resulting in a healthier dish, yet still tasty. Prepared this way, the light cutlet is perfectly suited for a balanced diet that pays attention to calories.

Benefits of Milanese Cutlet and Nutritional Information

The Milanese Cutlet, made with veal chops, is an important source of high-quality protein, essential for the growth and maintenance of muscle mass. Veal is also rich in B vitamins, which play a crucial role in energy metabolism. A serving of cutlet (about 150g) provides approximately 350-400 calories, depending on the cooking method and ingredients used. However, it is important to consider that excessive consumption of fried dishes can increase saturated fat intake. To balance the meal, it is advisable to accompany the cutlet with fresh vegetables or salads, which provide fiber and vitamins.

Can Milanese Cutlet be Frozen?

Yes, it is possible to freeze the Milanese Cutlet, but it is advisable to do so before cooking. After breading the meat, you can place the cutlets on a tray and freeze them individually. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a food bag to save space in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them, simply cook them directly without thawing, slightly increasing the cooking times. If you have already cooked the cutlet, it is better to consume it fresh, as frying may alter the texture and flavor once thawed. In any case, to ensure the quality of the dish, it is important not to exceed three months of freezing.