Perfectly Fried, Golden Schnitzel
Do you cook lunch on Fridays? I usually have so much to do for Shabbat that I can't see past the uncrossed tasks on my to do list. If someone trespasses into my territory (that would be the kitchen) looking for something to eat, I send them off with a slice of bell pepper. If they're really hungry it's a bland slice of bread with peanut butter or maybe cereal and milk. There are too many things to do that lunch is a meal that eludes me on Fridays.
Of course, my mother, the home-cooking superstar that she is, makes lunch for her family on Fridays. And I really mean every Friday, without fail.
Lucky for us, it's always perfectly fried, golden schnitzel.
I rarely fry foods in my kitchen. And it would be even rarer for me to put in the effort to make schnitzel
just
for lunch on a busy Friday. But when it's made for me by
someone else
, well, that's a different story. I'll happily fix myself a plate with the most amazing
and my mother's roasted jalapenos.
After the first bite, I'll wonder why I don't make schnitzel more often. After the second, I'll consider taking on this practice of such a delicious lunch. And after the third bite, I become realistic and know that I will not make fried foods often because it's unhealthy, nor will I make it on Fridays like my mother as you surely understood by now why. I'll just enjoy each delicious bite and wish my mother lived in the same city so I can have this taste of home every week.
The key here is to marinate the chicken breast overnight (or at least for an hour or two) to let the flavors blend into the meat. I also think it's important to have thinly sliced chicken breast slices. If yours are a little on the thick side, you can pound them so they become thinner. It makes a world of a difference.
Schnitzel
1lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
3 eggs, beaten
1 head garlic, minced
salt
pepper
2 cups breadcrumbs (flavored or unflavored, both are good)
Directions:
Marinate the chicken breast in the eggs, garlic, salt, and pepper overnight (or at least one hour).
Heat a fry pan on medium heat with enough oil so it's a least 1 inch deep. The oil is hot enough if when you splash water drops it sizzles.
Dredge each chicken breast in the breadcrumbs, coating each side generously and fry for a minute or two on each side, or until each slice is perfectly golden.