If You Wiener, Say Hello

NATIONAL DISH OF AUSTRIA - Wiener Schnitzel

FINALLY, we get to a country that I have actually travelled to! I made a quick journey around Western and Central Europe for a month in 2007/8. Since it was my first time overseas (and I was travelling with my step-sister who has no direction whatsoever), we decided to take a tour. Being in our early twenties at the time we decided on Contiki and their 12 day European Discovery. Now I know what your thinking, "Contiki?! You'd miss all the culture, sights and wonder of Europe, and spend all your time drinking!" Well although that last part is largely true (got the pics to prove it), I would say that I saw a smorgasbord of European highlights in the smallest amount of time. And made plenty of friends that provided memories to last a lifetime (and to fill an hilarious novel).


The only Austrian town I went to was Innsbruck. Now we travelled during the winter, and I have never been so cold in my life. But all that coldness fell away when you saw the most picturesque snow-capped mountains closely enveloping this old-world modern town. Filled with many spectacular things to see and do (a short list): Swarovski crystal store (straight from the nearby factory), Cafes full of delicious strudels and Sachertorte, the Golden Roof (a royal residence that has small phallic columns underneath) and the large Olympic Ski Jump that grandly sits atop the surrounding mountains. But my favourite thing was the Schnapps store, with wall to wall schnapps varieties and free all you can drink taste testing!

Of course another highlight was the Wiener Schnitzel. All over the world they have many variations on the schnitzel, but the genuine veal schnitzel comes from Austria. A simple veal escalope coated in breadcrumbs and traditionally served with a slice of lemon and some salad and potato salad. Since we were in the home of the Wiener Schnitzel, what else would we have for dinner. Eaten at our local hotel, it was the BEST veal schnitzel I have ever tasted.....until now.



Enjoy, or as they say in Austria, Guten Appetit!






For an AWES Österreichischen delight: http://www.aboutvienna.org/recipes/wiener_Schnitzel.php

Difficulty:       5 

Appearance:  4 

Taste:             5 

TOTAL:         14

Not a difficult dish at all. Just pretend your working in a schnitzel factory assembly line: flour, egg, crumb. Where the problem can arise is the cooking process. Just make sure it's perfect and not under or over cooked. No pressure!

The oil browned the crumbs perfectly and the slice of lemon adds a bit of colour. Paired with some Austrian Potato Salad (Erdäpfelsalat) it looked picture perfect. I think a comment on my Youtube channel said it perfectely: "OMFG those look good"!

And OMFG they were! This is now the dish that is in the lead, with the highest score so far. The crumbs were perfectly fried and the veal perfectly cooked and succulent. If you think I've misplaced my thesaurus with the overuse of the word perfect, never fear I still have it. There is just no other word for this dish. Paired with some Erdäpfelsalat (and of course a Sauvignon Blanc) they make a perfect dish for a summer dinner. Let's wrap this up with a one-word summation of Wiener Schnitzel, you know what that word is.....PERFECT

(For those playing at home, Austria have not had the best run in Eurovision. Debuting in 1957, they have won once (1966 with "Merci, Cherie). Unfortunately they have placed last 7 times. They've been absent for a few years due to their opposition of the voting system but plan to return for 2011. Glück Österreich!)