Preparing something Milanese style means dredging thin slices of meat in eggs and seasoned bread crumbs and frying them. I used turkey cutlets for this dish.

Veal Milanese (Italian: Cotoletta alla Milanese) is an Italian dish in Milan, Lombard cuisine. It is traditionally prepared with a veal rib or sirloin chop that is made into a breaded cutlet and fried in butter. Due to its shape, it is often called Oreggia d’elefant in Milanese or Orecchia d’elefante in Italian, meaning the elephant’s ear. Topping the meat with an Arugula Salad has become popular.

A common variation made with chicken is common in the United States and other English-speaking countries and bears the name “Chicken Milanese” (Italian Pollo alla Milanese). Another variation of Milanesa found in southern Italy is called a la Napolitana and is made similar to the Cotoletta alla Milanese with the addition of cheese and tomato sauce.

In Milan, the dish dates to at least 1134, where it is mentioned at a banquet for the canon of Milan’s St. Ambrogio Cathedral. Further evidence dates to around the 1st century BC indicating that the Romans enjoyed dishes of thinly sliced meat, which were breaded and fried. The dish also resembles the Austrian Wiener Schnitzel, which originated in Austria around the 19th century.

Ingredients For 2 servings

1/2 cup flour
1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano, plus extra for shaving over the top
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 scallopini/cutlets (veal, pork, chicken or turkey), pounded to 1/4-inch thickness, about 6 ounces each
Olive oil
2 cups arugula
1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

Place flour in one shallow bowl or pie plate and beaten egg in a second. Combine parmesan and breadcrumbs in a third and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Dredge cutlet in flour, then the egg. Allow excess egg to drip off, then transfer to the breadcrumbs. Turn to coat evenly, pressing crumbs so they adhere. Transfer the cutlets to a large plate.

Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Carefully add cutlets to the hot oil. Cook, swirling pan occasionally until golden brown on the first side, about 1 minute. Carefully turn the cutlets with tongs and cook until the second side is golden brown, about 1 minute longer. Adjust the heat as necessary to prevent oil from burning. Transfer each cutlet to a dinner plate.

Toss arugula, tomatoes, and red onion in a medium bowl with olive oil and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon the salad over the cutlets and top with shaved Parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper. Serve with Italian bread if desired.

To make homemade Italian baguettes, use my recipe.