Pork Cutlets: The King of Polish Tables
We love pork cutlets for their unique taste, crispy coating, and ease of preparation. All you need is a meat tenderizer, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs to create a typical Sunday dinner. However, it’s worth introducing some innovations into your dishes from time to time. Try this herb marinade recipe, and you’ll forget about the traditional taste of pork cutlets.
The Origin of Pork Cutlets in Poland
Since their arrival on Polish tables, they have enjoyed immense popularity. The first mentions of cutlets can be found in an 1860 cookbook by Lucyna Ćwierczakiewiczowa, who wrote about inexpensive meat. Originally intended for physical laborers from lower social classes, this dish was not initially Polish. Similar dishes, like Viennese veal schnitzel and Cotoletta alla Milanese, were already known. Poles substituted the more expensive meat with a cheaper alternative. The communist era (PRL) was a breakthrough period for this dish, making pork cutlets a staple on Polish tables. Today, they are found in virtually every home.
Recipe for Marinated Breaded Pork Cutlets
Ingredients:
- 1 kilogram of pork loin
- Lard
- Wheat flour
- 3 eggs
- Breadcrumbs
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 2 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- Black pepper
- Salt
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
Step-by-Step Preparation:
Prepare the Meat:
- Wash the meat thoroughly and cut it into slices. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and pound it with a meat tenderizer.
Make the Marinade:
- If possible, use a mortar and pestle to crush about six peppercorns, or use a grinder.
- Rinse and chop the rosemary and thyme sprigs, and press the garlic through a garlic press.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil with salt, pepper, herbs, and garlic.
Marinate the Cutlets:
- Rub each cutlet thoroughly with the marinade and place them in a bowl with the remaining marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about twelve hours.
Bread the Cutlets:
- Once marinated, bread the cutlets traditionally. First, coat them in flour, then in beaten eggs, and finally in breadcrumbs.
Cook the Cutlets:
- Fry the cutlets in lard for the best flavor.
- Enjoy your delicious marinated pork cutlets with their crispy coating and enhanced taste!
