There’s no doubt about it: schnitzel is the most famous dish we have on our menu. It’s our namesake, after all. But where exactly did this delicious food come from? It’s said to hail from Germany, and other sources have stated that its roots may be in Austria. That being said, this tasty dish is found in several countries throughout Europe, where it remains a staple to this day. Curious to know how exactly this food originated? Let’s find out.
What Exactly is Schnitzel?
Schnitzel is a dish that uses a very thin boneless cutlet from meat such as veal, pork, beef or chicken. The meat can be breaded and then deep fried or it can also be pan fried and then be used as breading or just be consumed without the bread. Schnitzels also come in a variety of forms across different countries, but the recipe remains the same. If there’s one schnitzel that’s famous – it would be the Wienerschnitzel, which is from Austria. Traditionally, this dish is made out of veal and then is breaded by using breadcrumbs, and served with lemon juice.
Schnitzel Throughout the Times
Schnitzel has managed to conquer the taste buds of many people around the world, and you can easily find this dish in most European restaurants nowadays. As far as the origins of schnitzel go, there are many sources dating back in time which mention the process of tenderising pieces of meat by pounding out the slices. The process would then continue with the meat being dredged in breading and then fried. This method of cooking dates as far back as the 1st century BC, and was mainly done in Europe.
When you fast forward to the Middle Ages, schnitzel by then had managed to become extremely popular. Not only was it well loved in Germanic lands, but also Northern Italy and present day Austria. An important fact to note that the main meat used was veal – also known as wienerschnitzel. In the 1850s, many Germans immigrated to Texas. Beef was more widely available than veal or pork, so German immigrants began incorporating beef in their schnitzels rather than pork or veal. Since beef was not as tender as pork or veal, pounding out beef began to be the new norm when making schnitzel.
How Schnitzel Became Beloved by Jewish People
Originally brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews, schnitzel instantly became a hit. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not widely available, so chicken or turkey became a substitute. Nowadays, the meat used is generally chicken or turkey breast to keep it kosher. Another swap to keep up with kashrut was changing butter for oil, which is normally used for wienerschnitzel. Before frying, the schnitzel is coated with a mixture of beaten eggs and bread crumbs, sometimes spiced with paprika or sesame seeds. Despite schnitzel not being a solely Jewish cuisine, it is still beloved in Israeli cuisine today.
Are you hungry yet? Keep it kosher with us and order one of our delicious schnitzels today!
FAQs
Two siblings had a dream. Sivan and Ofeer Benaltaba wanted to shakeup the fast food industry by offering kosher food that truly tastes amazing and eaten by people short on time.
What is the history of the schnitzel? ›
The history of schnitzel starts in Austria
The dish quickly spread throughout Austria and Germany, and became a staple of traditional German and Austrian cuisine. It was often served with potatoes, cabbage, or other hearty side dishes, and was a popular choice for family meals and celebrations.
Where did the schnitzel come from in Israel? ›
Its roots lie on the European continent, with Austrians coining the term schnitzel in the late eighteen hundreds to refer to pan-fried breaded meat. By the beginning of the 20th Century, central European immigrants had brought schnitzel to Israel.
What does schnitzel mean in German? ›
In Germany, the term Schnitzel means cutlets in general, not just breaded, fried ones.
Who are the owners of schnitzel? ›
The first Schnitz store was opened in 2007 by Roman Dyduk who is joined by his two sons, Tom and Andrew in ownership and operation of the company to this day.
What is holy sauce holy schnitzel? ›
Introducing the Holy Sauce – a heavenly blend of lingonberry and Grandmas secret ranch dressing. This tantalizing combination will elevate your dishes to new heights.
Why do Jews eat schnitzel? ›
Originally brought from Europe to Israel by Ashkenazi Jews, schnitzel instantly became a hit. During the early years of the state of Israel, veal was not widely available, so chicken or turkey became a substitute. Nowadays, the meat used is generally chicken or turkey breast to keep it kosher.
What do Americans call schnitzel? ›
schnitzel, a thin meat cutlet, pounded until tender and then breaded and fried, that is a culinary staple in German-speaking countries and communities. The Americanized version of the dish is chicken-fried steak.
What meat is the original schnitzel? ›
What is a Wiener Schnitzel? Traditionally, a Wiener Schnitzel is a cutlet of veal pounded thin by a meat tenderizer, then dipped in flour, egg and breadcrumbs (in that order), and fried until golden.
What is the most common meat eaten in Israel? ›
Chicken is the most widely eaten meat in Israel, followed by turkey. Chicken is prepared in a multitude of ways, from simple oven-roasted chicken to elaborate casseroles with rich sauces such as date syrup, tomato sauce, etc.
Basically, all schnitzels are breaded and fried thin pieces of meat, but only wiener schnitzel is made with veal. Cooking term: Schnitzel is a cooking term used to describe any meat pounded thin, then breaded and fried. Key ingredient: Schnitzel is made with pork, chicken, beef, or veal.
Is schnitzel healthy? ›
Schnitzel is usually fried, which isn't the healthiest thing, but if you have no weight issues or cardiac markers, it won't hurt you. The chicken in schnitzel is skinless white meat, which is high in protein and low in fat.
Who invented schnitzel? ›
The genesis of the schnitzel
Going by the name alone, many people assume that the origins began in Germany or Austria, but it was Israel in the Middle East where the dish was believed to have been served first.
What is the Italian version of schnitzel? ›
You want a quick dish, but still something special? Then veal scaloppine, Italian-style escalopes are just the thing: with a fruity hint of lemon or with the subtle herbal aroma of wine, depending on your taste.
What is the French version of schnitzel? ›
Pariser schnitzel (from German Pariser Schnitzel 'Parisian cutlet') is a schnitzel variation from French cuisine. Unlike Wiener schnitzel, it does not incorporate bread crumbs.
Who gave us Wiener Schnitzel? ›
In the popular southern German cookbook by Katharina Prato, it was mentioned as eingebröselte Kalbsschnitzchen (roughly, "breaded veal cutlets"). According to a tale, Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky von Radetz brought the recipe from Italy to Vienna in 1857.
What nationality is chicken schnitzel? ›
There's no doubt about it: schnitzel is the most famous dish we have on our menu. It's our namesake, after all. But where exactly did this delicious food come from? It's said to hail from Germany, and other sources have stated that its roots may be in Austria.
