Napolitan-Style Cutlet

The napolitan-style cutlet is a classic dish in Argentine gastronomy, a sophisticated version of the traditional cutlet that combines flavors and textures in every bite. Its name evokes the taste of southern Italy, but its preparation is purely criollo.

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need 8 tender beef filets, which will form the base of our cutlets. The homemade tomato sauce and slices of cooked ham will bring an intense and slightly salty flavor, while the mozzarella cheese will melt in the oven to add a creamy and smooth touch.

Step-by-Step

1. Preparing the Filets: Start by seasoning the 8 tender beef filets to taste.
2. Breading: Pass each filet through flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs to create a crispy crust.
3. Frying the Filets: Heat olive oil in a pan and fry the breaded filets until they are golden brown and cooked to your liking.
4. Assembling the Cutlet: Place the fried filets in an oven dish, cover with homemade tomato sauce, sprinkle a teaspoon of dried oregano, add slices of cooked ham, and finish by covering everything with mozzarella cheese.
5. Gratinating: Bake the preparation for about 15 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbling.

Tips and Techniques

• For a perfect crunch, make sure the filets are well breaded: passing them through flour, beaten egg, and breadcrumbs.
• Homemade tomato sauce is key to this dish. If you don’t make it yourself, choose a good quality commercial one.
• The mozzarella cheese should be fresh and melt well in the oven, adding a creamy touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not frying the filets until they are golden brown: This can prevent the breadcrumb crust from being crispy.
• Using tomato sauce that is too thick or has an industrial flavor: This can overshadow the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Overloading the cutlet with mozzarella cheese: Although tempting, too much cheese can cause it to overflow and make a mess in the oven.

How to Know It Turned Out Well

A well-made napolitan-style cutlet should have a crispy crust, tender and juicy filets, intense tomato sauce flavor, well-integrated cooked ham, and golden, bubbling mozzarella cheese. The combination should be hot with the cheese fully melted.

This recipe is a tribute to Argentine cuisine, a fusion that uniquely combines textures and flavors. If you fancy trying this sophisticated version of cutlets, don’t hesitate to follow the detailed steps on bonviveur.com.