Chef notes
This tender veal chop is one of the most popular menu items at Giada, Las Vegas. It is a flavor and texture sensation. It is crispy, juicy, cheesy, herbaceous, savory and oh-so-satifying!
Technique tip: It is much easier to cut a clean pocket in the chop when it is still thick, before pounding.
Swap option: You can use a bone-in pork chop or chicken breast instead of veal.
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce bone-in veal rib chop
- 5 thin slices Fontina cheese (about 1 ounce total)
- 6 small sage leaves
- 4 thin slices prosciutto
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Parmesan shavings, if desired
- Fried sage, if desired
- Grilled lemon, if desired
Preparation
1.Preheat the oven to 400 F.
2.Using a sharp thin knife, cut a slit into the flesh side of the veal chop almost to the bone. With your hand placing pressure on the top of the chop, move the knife in a slicing motion to form a 3-inch pocket in the chop. Cover the chop with a piece of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or a small heavy skillet, gently pound the chop until it is about 1/3-inch thick. Remove the plastic wrap and discard.
3.Stuff one piece of the fontina cheese into the pocket of veal and close the meat around it. On one side of the chop, place 3 small sage leaves on the meat. Cover the sage leaves with 2 pieces of cheese and follow that it with 2 pieces of prosciutto. Turn the chop over and repeat on the other side.
4.Place the flour, egg and breadcrumbs in 3 separate shallow dishes and season each of them with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Season the flour with the pepper. Dredge both sides of the wrapped veal chop in the flour and shake off the excess. Then place the chop into the egg, and then into the panko packing the breadcrumbs on to the chop to help them stick.
5.In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. When the oil is hot, add the breaded chop and cook for about 2 minutes or until the breadcrumbs on the first side are golden brown. Using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip the chop and continue to cook until the other side is golden brown as well. Remove the chop to a baking tray and place in the preheated oven for about 8 to 10 minutes until cooked to 155°F. Allow the veal to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
6.Serve topped with Parmesan shavings and fried sage along with a grilled lemon on the side if desired.
