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Cutlet

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A cutlet is a delicious food that people enjoy all over the world.

A tray of Italian-American style chicken cutlets
A tray of Italian-American style chicken cutlets

It can be a thin slice of meat from animals like veal, pork, or chicken. Sometimes, a cutlet is a patty made from ground meat or even mashed vegetables. Many people like to coat these pieces in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Then, they fry them in a pan with oil or butter to make them crispy. This simple way of cooking creates a tasty meal that feels special. People love the crunch of the outside and the soft inside.

There are many different ways to make a cutlet depending on where you live. In India, cutlets are often made of mashed potatoes, carrots, and beans. They use spices like cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon to add flavor. These are often deep-fried and served as snacks, especially in Kolkata. In Iran, cutlets are shaped like a flower leaf. They use ground beef or lamb mixed with potatoes and eggs.

Kotlet (3119520131)
Kotlet (3119520131)

These are often served with fresh tomato, onion, and parsley.

History shows how these recipes traveled to new places. The word itself comes from the French word "côtelette," which means rib. In English cookbooks from the late 1700s, almost all cutlets were made of veal. Later, pork cutlets began to appear in recipes. The famous Milanese cutlet in Italy actually has French origins. It was brought to the city of Milan during the Napoleonic wars.

Cutlet 2
Cutlet 2

This version is a veal cutlet fried in butter.

Different countries have their own special names and rules for cutlets. In Japan, people call them "katsuretsu" and often eat them with curry. In Russia, a "kotleta" is usually a minced meat patty. Some Russian recipes even add butter to the meat to make it juicy. In Australia, children often eat lamb cutlets or chicken schnitzel. Many people of Italian descent in Australia call chicken or veal pieces "cutlets" instead of schnitzel. These names help people know exactly what kind of food they are eating.

Learning about cutlets helps us see how many cultures share similar ideas. Even if the ingredients change, the idea of a fried, breaded meal stays the same. You might find a seafood cutlet in Hong Kong served with rice. Or you might find a fish and potato croquette in Sri Lanka.

A tray of Italian-American style chicken cutlets
A tray of Italian-American style chicken cutlets

Whether it is a pork chop in Poland or a chicken cutlet in Canada, these foods bring people together. They show how cooking can connect different parts of the world through one tasty bite.

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File:A tray of Italian-American style chicken cutlets.jpg
A tray of Italian-American style chicken...
File:Cutlet 2.jpg
Cutlet 2.jpg
File:Kotlet (3119520131).jpg
Kotlet (3119520131).jpg
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