Schnitzel and Smashed Potatoes

July 3, 2009 by Not Quite Nigella

I realise as I write this that the title doesn’t exactly conjure up the best image. And in truth I didn’t know whether to blog about this rather ordinary meal that I make from time to time but I know that many of you like it when I do simple dishes. I mentioned this to my husband who reminded me that the Schnitzel was one of his favourite dishes. He also reminded me (chuckling), how I had only made a small batch of these potatoes at a dinner party once and it almost caused a riot among the men folk. It’s the closest this usually refined bunch of men came to blows they loved them so much.

Reggiano

That reminded me of how the males of the species, and I don’t mean the avowed foodies but more the regular type of male just loves having something simple and substantial to eat. Forget haute cuisine, there’s nothing more horrifying to this kind of man to be served a minimalist plate. Serve them potatoes, done with a delicious butter and oil crisp and you’ll win their heart.

The schnitzel is good but the star here are the potatoes most definitely. The reason why I’ve specified so many potatoes per person? Because they will ask for more. Trust me.

Schnitzel and Smashed Potatoes

Serves 4

For Schnitzel:

  • 4×100g fillets (you can buy already pounded schnitzel fillets or pound them yourself). You can use chicken, pork, veal or beef
  • 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmigiano reggiano
  • 1 egg
  • 1/3 cup plain all purpose flour
  • oil for pan frying
  • Lemon wedge for serving

For Smashed Potatoes

  • 30 cocktail/chat potatoes (about 4cms long)
  • 75g butter melted
  • 5 tablespoons oil
  • salt

1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F. Prick a hole into each potato and steam until softish but not extremely soft. I usually cook them in a covered bowl in the microwave with an inch of water for 10 minutes.

“Smashed” potatoes drizzled with butter and oil

2. Drain potatoes and place on a lined baking tray. Using a potato masher, gently and I mean gently, push down onto the potatoes so that they collapse but still keep their shape at the bottom. Combine melted butter and oil and spoon and spoon over the potatoes and bake on the top shelf of the oven for 30-40 minutes until golden and the bottoms are crispy. Season with salt and put aside.

The dipping and crumbing assembly line

3. Meanwhile while the potatoes are baking, you can pound the fillets until they are thin with a meat mallet if they are not already pounded. On one plate, spread out the flour, in a bowl break the egg and whisk lightly and on a plate, spread out breadcrumbs mixed with reggiano. Prepare a tray with cling wrap to put the schnitzels on.

The schnitzels ready to fry

4. Press each fillet into the flour and shake off excess flour. Then dip gently into the egg and then press onto breadcrumb mixture. Then place on the tray and rest and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

5. Heat oil in frypan and cook each fillet until golden and then turn over. Add more oil if necessary. When cooked, serve with some smahsed potatoes.

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51 Comments | Add your own

  • 1. Anita | July 3, 2009 at 7:55 am | #

    Schnitzel is my all time favourite savoury food and it’s what I choose for my home birthday dinner – so it’s good to hear others love it too :P

  • 2. sandra | July 3, 2009 at 8:05 am | #

    I definitely agree that simple fare can often be just the right type of comfort food. My husband would absolutely love it if I served him schnitzel and potatoes every night!!!

  • 3. Steph | July 3, 2009 at 8:07 am | #

    LOL at the riot your smashed potatoes almost caushed, they do sound really good! I love it when you post about your meals, they’re always the recipes I end up doing the quickest because they give me inspiration when I’m stuck for dinner ideas :)

  • 4. Blanche | July 3, 2009 at 8:24 am | #

    Wow I’ve actually made something on NQN before!

    For a healthier but less tasty (I imagine) version of the potatoes, I just lightly spray mine with olive oil spray.

    Might have to try that schnitzel. No complaints about you cooking simple dishes here :-)

  • 5. Belle@OohLook | July 3, 2009 at 8:46 am | #

    Fridays used to mean schnitzel and potatoes from Simmone Logue. But she’s closed the Balmain store, and I miss it! And I love smashed potatoes, especially with some thyme sprinkled on top.

  • 6. Caroline | July 3, 2009 at 8:57 am | #

    Yum! Another great post of another meal I intend to recreate. Thanks :)

  • 7. Big M | July 3, 2009 at 8:57 am | #

    Tick of approval for the Schnitzel (without sauce :-) Will definitely try the potatoes. xo M

  • 8. Sarah | July 3, 2009 at 9:03 am | #

    Oooh i call those potatoes “squished” potatoes, and they work rather well with Goose fat too :-) The best thing is that you don’t have to peel them! LOL

  • 9. poppyseed capers | July 3, 2009 at 9:13 am | #

    Im with Mr NQN. Schnitzel is one of my fav comfort foods.
    I have just started to crumb mine with the japanese breadcrumbs. The crunchy texture this gives to the schnitzel is incredible.
    Then I serve it with Bill’s spicy coleslaw.
    Love the smashed potatoes, especially with a great lemon mayo.
    Im going to make it tonight for dinner. Smiles all round ;)

  • 10. Betty | July 3, 2009 at 9:39 am | #

    Oh this looks perfect for the men (and ladies). Will definitely bookmark this one!

  • 11. Alfie | July 3, 2009 at 9:45 am | #

    When my mother comes to visit she always offers to cook a meal. She is a great cook- as all mums are! Without doubt my husband & I look at each other & say in unison -SCHNITZEL!She makes a huge pile of it, “oh you’ll be eating it for days..”
    Of course its all eaten in one sitting. Now I think mum should try your smashed pots-they look amazing!the perfect meal.lol

  • 12. Tara | July 3, 2009 at 9:49 am | #

    I usually bake instead of frying my schnizels… safer with a toddler running in and out of the kitchen. I love smasked potatoes with fresh herbs too!!! yummy.

  • 13. Carolyn | July 3, 2009 at 9:53 am | #

    yumm!! i’m a potato head and definitely will be using this recipe!! ;)

  • 14. arista | July 3, 2009 at 10:17 am | #

    Wow that looks so tasty.

    I agree that this is real “boys’ food” – lol at the riot over the potatoes!

    I must try this smashed potato idea, it sounds great. I’ll be sure to make lots to avoid any aggro!

  • 15. Barbara | July 3, 2009 at 10:20 am | #

    My husband would love this meat and potatoes meal!

  • 16. isLa | July 3, 2009 at 10:32 am | #

    as i’ve written in your survey, i would love to see more dinner recipes, and this is exactly what i am after! those potatoes do look yummy :)

  • 17. Cakelaw | July 3, 2009 at 10:34 am | #

    This meal looks delicious – especially the potatoes, which I must try.

  • 18. Sophia | July 3, 2009 at 11:07 am | #

    you’ll win MY heart too with these amazing potatoes! What a way to enjoy the humble potato!

  • 19. Lubele | July 3, 2009 at 11:27 am | #

    Delicious! What breadcrumbs do you use? They look like really big and crunchy crumbs! Did you make them yourself?

  • 20. Einna | July 3, 2009 at 11:33 am | #

    This looks devine!! I think you’ve given me an idea for dinner tonight! :)

  • 21. Jacq | July 3, 2009 at 12:17 pm | #

    Wow that looks delicious and so simple! Might have a go at this tonight :)

  • 22. Alexandra | July 3, 2009 at 12:54 pm | #

    Must have those potatoes! Think I’ll make them for dinner tonight :)

  • 23. 5 Star Foodie | July 3, 2009 at 1:21 pm | #

    Yum – the schnitzel looks excellent and I love the idea of smashed potatoes!

  • 24. zaou | July 3, 2009 at 2:08 pm | #

    mmm, looks good. love the simplicity

  • 25. Angela | July 3, 2009 at 2:15 pm | #

    Another recipe for the weekend! I’ve made something similar to this before with lots of garlic thrown in… I think it was in Nigella’s HTE… and yes, you are absolutely right, the men LOVED it!

  • 26. Parita | July 3, 2009 at 4:42 pm | #

    Oh i love these potatoes!! no wonder there was a riot for this :)

  • 27. Ellie@AlmostBourdain | July 3, 2009 at 4:42 pm | #

    Love the smashed potatoes! Gonna make them for our next BBQ. The boys will like them.

  • 28. Sarah | July 3, 2009 at 5:03 pm | #

    There’s nothing wrong with schnitzel and potatoes, especially in Winter.

    For a restaurant that specializes in kitsch and comfort food like schnitzel our family favourite is the Rhinedorf at Beverly Hills.If you haven’t tried it Lorraine I’d recommend it.

  • 29. Rebecca | July 3, 2009 at 5:08 pm | #

    Love your ’simple’ dinner recipes! This looks YUM.

    I always want to say ‘….with noodles’ after the word schnitzel (ala Sound of Music’s Favourite Things!).

  • 30. Arwen from Hoglet K | July 3, 2009 at 5:32 pm | #

    Your smashed potatoes look lovely. They never taste as good when you try to cut back on the fat, so it’s nicer to do as you’ve done and just enjoy them.

  • 31. DeLaCour | July 3, 2009 at 6:23 pm | #

    sometimes less is more.

  • 32. Kim | July 3, 2009 at 6:26 pm | #

    When I was a youngster, we often ate out at a German restaurant and order Schnitzel for dinner. I so wish they had those yummy smashed potatoes to go with it.

  • 33. Einna | July 3, 2009 at 7:27 pm | #

    Lorraine, I have to say the potatoes were a hit!! My husband loved it! I cheated with the schnitzel tho(bought a chicken prepped one from DJs), I will make it from scratch another time. I love the potatoes tho. So easy and so tasty!!

    Thanks Lorriane for yet another easy peasy recipe! :)

  • 34. Melissa | July 3, 2009 at 7:45 pm | #

    You can’t beat a good schnitzel! My partner loves my homemade schnitzel especially when it’s served with lots of veges and of course potatoes but I always make mashed, I’m definately trying these smashed potatoes next time.

    Thanks for the inspiration :-)

  • 35. Moya | July 3, 2009 at 7:57 pm | #

    Ahhh, perfect weather for meat ‘n potatoes smashed! I love my smashed potatoes sprayed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt and coriander, actually forget the schnitzel, I could just make a meal of the taters with a little sour cream (light of course ;-)

  • 36. jess | July 3, 2009 at 8:20 pm | #

    Hi Lorraine, I definitely love your simple recipes! Those smashed potatoes look like they can be an easy snack too!

  • 37. Christie @ Fig & Cherry | July 3, 2009 at 8:56 pm | #

    Have you been to Una’s in darlinghurst? (You probably have!) It’s the best schnitzel in Sydney :P

  • 38. grace | July 3, 2009 at 9:52 pm | #

    on the contrary–when i read your title, i thought, “YES PLEASE!” and i wasn’t disappointed. :)

  • 39. Esz | July 3, 2009 at 9:55 pm | #

    Thanks for the reminder to do some smashed spuds!

    My boyfriend would LOVE this meal too – might just put it on the list for next week :-)

    Interesting technique on the microwaving – I usually just wash them and bung them in for a few minutes but I guess they need more time and water to stop them from getting dry.

  • 40. Johanna | July 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm | #

    Those potatoes look worthy of a riot – I love crispy potatoes in all forms and often make more roast potatoes just because I know I will crave a few extra once I taste them

  • 41. snooky doodle | July 5, 2009 at 2:16 am | #

    what a nice dish! my boyfriend would surely love this! :) the potatoes look so so good!

  • 42. Marta | July 5, 2009 at 5:12 am | #

    i think it’s nice to blog about day-to-day meals once in a while, these are, after all, the meals we make most often and the ones we need more inspiration for!

  • 43. Y | July 5, 2009 at 8:30 am | #

    Those smashed potatoes look woooonderful! So golden brown. I would’ve been elbowing people out of the way for a second helping.

  • 44. Not Quite Nigella | July 5, 2009 at 4:55 pm | #

    Hi Anita-Oh very cool! I love it myself too :D It’s always so good with a squeeze of lemon :)

    Hi sandra-Yes food that is simple but doesn’t take ages to prepare is comforting in itself :) Men, such simple but adorable creatures! :)

    Hi Steph-It was funny, they were looking everywhere for some more and their faces when I told them there weren’t any was hilarious :lol: Oh cool! I’m so glad to hear that!

    Hi Blanche-Oh cool! :D Ahh yes good idea! Do they crisp up nicely with the spray? :) I’m all for healthier options! hehe cool, thankyou!

    Hi Belle-Ah what a shame that they closed that store! don’t you hate it when that happens? :( Yes herbs on top are a great idea!

    Hi Caroline-That’s great! And you’re more than welcome! :)

    Hi Big M-I thought of you! Hubby suggested making one with sauce as a joke :lol: :D xxx

    Hi Sarah-haha squished is a cute name! yes I would imagine they’d be fantastic with goose fat :D And yes peeling is the pits! :lol:

    Hi poppyseed capers-Oh yes panko breadcrumbs are great I agree! Yum a spicy coleslaw and a lemon mayo sounds wonderful!

    Hi Betty-yes I have to confess I ate plenty of this too! :lol: Cool :)

    Hi Alfie-aren’t mums great! :D And yes I know what you mean, it’s all eaten in a flash :lol: Thankyou! I’d love to know what your mum thinks of them! :D

    Hi Tara-Interesting! I like that idea as I hate frying things. how do you bake them? Do you brush them with butter or oil first? :)

    Hi Carolyn-Cool! I’d love to know what you think of it! :)

    Hi arista-Thankyou! :D LOL boys are so funny aren’t they :lol: Yes honestly they are gone within a flash!

    Hi Barbara-He sounds like mine! :lol:

    Hi isLa-Cool! Yes i saw lots of readers ask for these so I am more than happy to oblige! :D

    Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou so much! Yes they’re so much easier than doing a mash :)

    Hi Sophia-hehe cool! I know, I’m not a huge potato eater but I will eat my body weight in these :lol:

    Hi Lubele-I just made my own :) I know they’re a bit bigger than normal but I have a love /hate relationship with my food processor :lol:

    Hi Einna-Fantastic! That’s great! :D

    Hi Jacq-definitely, please do :) And if you do, plmk what you think :)

    Hi Alexandra-Cool! Please do and if you do plmk what you think of them :)

    Hi 5 Star Foodie-Thankyou! The potatoes are always being requested at Chez NQN :lol:

    Hi zaou-Thankyou so much! :)

    Hi Angela-Cool! Ahhh with garlic, now that would be great! Or an aioli too :D Men folk are so uncomplicated, gotta love them :P

    Hi Parita-Thankyou! Yes I learnt my lesson-make more! :lol:

    Hi Ellie-Thanks! Oh yes they will and there isn’t too much butter or oil on them (most of it drips down)

    Hi Sarah-Absolutely! Oooh that sounds great and it’s just the weather for it isn’t it! Thanks for the rec! :D

    Hi Rebecca-Thankyou! it’s great to get this feedback :D haha yes I always have that association too! :)

    Hi Arwen-Thanks! :D Yes and there isn’t that much fat per potato I think! Well less than a chip or something!

    Hi DeLaCour-It is!

    Hi Kim-I didn’t try German food until quite a bit later but I’m trying to make up for it now! :lol:

    Hi Einna-Oooh YAYYY! I’m so glad! That is wonderful to hear and totally understand buying a prepared schnitzel. Sometimes things are just easier that way :lol: Thanks so much for letting me know! :D You’re more than welcome! :)

    Hi Melissa-You can’t can you! :) Cool! I’d love to know what you think of it! You’re more than welcome!

    Hi Moya-it is! It’s so freezing these past few days :) Oooh coriander-interesting! hehe yes light sour cream is good :)

    Hi jess-Wonderful! I love getting this feedback :) They can-but we never have any left over :lol:

    Hi Christie-I sure have and it’s great! And huge too (and I agree, the best in Sydney) ;)

    Hi grace-hehe cool! I’m so glad! :)

    Hi Esz-You’re welcome! :) I usually do it like that and they’re not dry at all inside :D

    Hi Johanna-yes there’s nothing like a potato or two while cleaning up. They’re almost snack size too :)

    Hi snooky doodle-Thankyou so much! I bet he would ;)

    Hi Marta-That is very true! :) I sometimes forget that :lol:

    Hi Y-Thankyou! :) Hehe yes that’s what happened when the boys started looking for more :lol: I think one pinched potatoes off someone else’s plate too!

  • 45. Meg{Feasting on Art} | July 5, 2009 at 9:42 pm | #

    This looks so so good!! My old roommate made me schnitzel when she visited two weeks ago but now I am craving it again!

  • 46. Simon | July 5, 2009 at 10:14 pm | #

    Wow. You weren’t kidding around when you said smashed potatoes :)

    They look so good! Wonder how they would turn out with duck fat…? :)

  • 47. Teena | July 6, 2009 at 11:40 am | #

    This recipe reminds me that we have to make a pilgrimage to Stuyvesant House this winter, the place looks so chocolate-box Swiss!

  • 48. Jenny | July 8, 2009 at 8:50 am | #

    Yes smashes potatoes are quite addictive when I have made them they have all been eaten, I do my snitzels the same way but I also add some finely chopped parsley in with the breadcrumbs.

  • 49. Not Quite Nigella | July 8, 2009 at 11:00 am | #

    Hi Meg-Thankyou! I get like that too when I have it and wonder why I don’t have it more often! :P

    Hi Simon-Yup! Smashed they are! I bet they’d be brilliant with some duck fat ;) I have a tin of goose fat but I’m keeping that for something else.

    Hi Teena-Haha yes, we walked past there recently. Tis the season for some lovely German food!

    Hi Jenny-yes they’re so addictive! Ahh very nice addition using parsley!

  • 50. Taiko Tari | July 13, 2009 at 5:39 pm | #

    Excellent recipe, Lorraine. What side dish of veggies would you put on the side of this. :)

  • 51. Not Quite Nigella | July 13, 2009 at 8:33 pm | #

    Hi Taiko-Thanks! :) Perhaps a green salad to go along with the potatoes?

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