Veal Capricciosa: A Classic Italian Veal Cutlet Dish With a Colorful Salad Twist

If you love Italian food, chances are you’ve enjoyed tender, golden fried veal cutlets known as scaloppine But have you tried the delicious spin on classic veal cutlets called veal capricciosa?

This article will explain exactly what veal capricciosa is how it’s made and why it’s such a popular Italian veal dish. Let’s dive in and learn all about capricciosa!

What Is Veal Capricciosa?

Veal capricciosa features tender veal cutlets that are breaded and pan-fried until crispy. What sets this dish apart is that the fried cutlets are topped with a refreshing salad of raw veggies.

The name “capricciosa” means whimsical or capricious in Italian. This refers to the fun, unexpected combination of crispy fried veal with the fresh, bright salad.

The salad typically includes ingredients like tomatoes, arugula, radicchio, red onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and herbs. When placed atop the hot fried cutlets, the cool salad provides a delicious temperature contrast.

The juxtaposition of crunchy and crisp textures along with bright, acidic flavors makes veal capricciosa an exciting twist on regular veal cutlets.

The Origins of Veal Capricciosa

Veal capricciosa originated in Italy, but details on its exact beginnings are unclear.

What we do know is that breaded veal cutlets have been popular in Italian cuisine since at least the 1400s. And serving cutlets with fresh vegetables is also common practice.

So it’s likely that creative Italian cooks decided to combine the two concepts and top fried veal with a raw salad for contrast. This whimsical approach resulted in the beloved dish we know today.

How to Make Veal Capricciosa

Part of what makes veal capricciosa so great is how easy it is to prepare. Here is an overview of the simple process:

Prep the veal – Slice veal loin into thin cutlets. Use a meat mallet to gently pound and thin the veal.

Bread the cutlets – Dredge cutlets in flour, egg wash, then seasoned breadcrumbs to coat.

Pan fry the cutlets – Heat olive oil in a pan. Fry breaded cutlets for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.

Make the salad – Combine chopped tomatoes, onion, arugula, radicchio, olive oil, vinegar, and herbs.

Assemble the dish – Place fried veal cutlets on a plate and top with the fresh salad.

That’s it! With just a short prep time you can enjoy this tasty Italian specialty. The method is similar for making chicken capricciosausing pounded chicken breast cutlets.

Tips for Making Perfect Veal Capricciosa

Here are a few tips to ensure your veal capricciosa turns out fantastically:

• Pound the veal thin so it cooks quickly and remains tender. Go for 1⁄4 inch or less.

• Give the salad a good drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for great flavor.

• Use Italian-style breadcrumbs seasoned with parmesan, parsley, garlic, etc.

• Fry the cutlets in olive oil over medium-high heat for a crispy crust.

• Make sure both sides of the veal are well coated in breadcrumbs for even browning.

• Cook just until the veal reaches 145°F internally to prevent overcooking.

• Let the fried veal rest for 2-3 minutes before topping with the salad.

Why Veal Capricciosa is So Popular

There are several reasons why veal capricciosa is a beloved Italian specialty:

Quick and easy – Requires just 30 minutes total hands on time.

Dynamic contrast – The hot and cold textures provide great visual and taste appeal.

Fresh flavors – Bright vegetables cut through the rich fried veal.

Impressive yet approachable – Elevates a common dish into something special.

Comforting yet light – Satisfying yet healthier than many fried foods.

Kid-friendly – Mild veal and crunchy coating appeal to young eaters.

Thanks to these qualities, capricciosa makes a fantastic meal any night of the week. It’s easy enough for busy weeknights but also special enough for company.

Serving Suggestions for Veal Capricciosa

Veal capricciosa is delicious as-is, but here are some tasty serving ideas:

• Serve with crusty Italian bread to soak up the tasty pan juices.

• Pair it with pasta tossed with olive oil and parmesan.

• For a heartier meal, include roasted potatoes or a vegetable side dish.

• Top the salad with shaved parmesan for extra richness.

• Add olives, capers, or artichoke hearts to the salad for variety.

• Drizzle the veal with a wedge of lemon for a burst of freshness.

• Accompany with an Italian white wine like Pinot Grigio.

So get creative and make this Italian classic your own!

An Easy Yet Satisfying Italian Specialty

As you can see, veal capricciosa offers the perfect combo of simple preparation with exciting flavors. All it takes is breading veal cutlets and topping them with a fresh veggie salad for an Italian restaurant-quality dish.

The contrasting textures and bright, acidic flavors make this dish feel elegant. Yet it comes together quickly with common ingredients, so it’s still approachable on hectic nights.

For an easy dinner that’s satisfying yet still feels special, whip up some veal capricciosa. Just pound thin veal cutlets, bread and fry, then crown with a colorful salad. This whimsical Italian specialty is sure to become a new family favorite.