Escalopes

Escalopes (also spelt as escallopes) are pieces of boneless meat which have been thinned out using a mallethttp://www.recipezaar.com/library/getentry.zsp?id=842] , rolling pin or beaten with the handle of a knife [http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/cgi-bin/res.pl?keyword=Escalope&offset=0] . By thinning out the meat, it cooks quicker, which is helpful when preparing fast meals.

Common meat types

Common types of meat to be used in this process are: veal, pork, salmon, steak & turkey. However, there are other types of meats used, such as Chicken.

Today, escalopes are usually associated to any of the "white" meats (veal, pork, chicken or turkey), but it can be associated to the "red" meats (beef or wild game). Also, "Escalope" has even crossed into seafood recipes, such as "salmon escalope with a sorrel sauce". Perhaps it sounds a bit more upscale to a food writer than "salmon fillet", yet the same writer will refer to "veal cutlets" rather than "veal escalope".

Common sizes

The "typical" sizes of an escalope used in the food industry range from 113 - 227 grams (4oz - 8oz).

Other names

The cut is known as scallop in the USA, not to be confused with the shellfish Scallop [http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/glossary/s.shtml?scallop] .

Origin

The term escalope originates from France. It first appeared in cookery terminology late in the 17th century as a dialectal expression in the northeast of rural Francehttp://www.everything2.org/title/escalope] meaning shell from a nut or snail: veau à l'escalope (veal cooked in the style of an escalope). In those days an escalope was doubtlessly always veal.

Most famous recipe

The most famous recipe using veal escalope is "Veal Cordon Bleu" [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escalope] , and its various look-alikes such as the Italian "Saltimbocca", where the same cut of veal is known as scaloppine. The dish is basically a veal sandwich with the escalope serving as the "bread" and the filling being ham and cheese. This is then floured, dipped in beaten egg yolk or milk, then in bread or cracker crumbs, and cooked in a pan with butter or, sometimes, oil. In the case of Saltimbocca only one slice of veal is used and the resulting "open-face sandwich" is rolled before being enrobed and cooked.

References