Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe

Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe

This Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe is a classic and quick recipe, which is made with tender veal escalopes, prosciutto, and fresh sage. It’s a restaurant-quality dish, ready in about 20 minutes.

Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe Ingredients

  • 4 x 150g higher-welfare veal escalopes
  • 8 fresh sage leaves
  • 8 slices of higher-welfare prosciutto
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Olive oil
  • 1 good swig of marsala
  • 1 lemon

How To Make Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe

  1. Prepare the Veal: Place the veal escalopes on a chopping board and cover them with cling film. Using your fists or a rolling pin, pound them out until they are about 5mm thick.
  2. Season and Layer: Season both sides of the flattened veal with black pepper. Lay 2 sage leaves flat on each piece of veal, then place 2 slices of prosciutto on top to cover the meat.
  3. Fry the Saltimbocca: Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter and a drizzle of olive oil. Add 2 escalopes to the pan and fry for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining 2 escalopes.
  4. Make the Pan Sauce: Return the pan to the heat. Add the remaining butter and the marsala wine. Let it simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, until you have a glossy sauce.
  5. Serve: Serve the saltimbocca immediately with the pan sauce drizzled over the top. Cut the lemon into wedges for squeezing over at the table.
Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe
Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • What does “Saltimbocca” mean? The name literally translates from Italian to “jumps in the mouth,” which is a perfect description of its incredibly delicious and savory flavor.
  • Can I use chicken instead of veal? Yes, this is a very common and delicious substitution. You can use thinly pounded chicken breasts (escalopes) or even pork tenderloin slices in place of the veal.
  • How do I keep the veal tender? The key is to pound it thin and cook it quickly over medium heat. Because the escalopes are so thin, they only need a couple of minutes per side. Overcooking will make the meat tough.
  • What is Marsala and can I substitute it? Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily that adds a unique sweet and nutty flavor to the sauce. If you don’t have it, you can substitute with an equal amount of dry white wine plus a teaspoon of brandy.

What To Serve With Saltimbocca alla Romana

This classic Italian dish pairs beautifully with a variety of simple sides that won’t overpower its delicate flavors.

  • Creamy polenta
  • Simple pasta tossed with butter and Parmesan
  • Roasted or boiled new potatoes with parsley
  • Sautéed spinach with garlic
  • A simple green salad with a lemon vinaigrette

How To Store Saltimbocca

  • Refrigerate: Saltimbocca is best enjoyed immediately after cooking for the best texture. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat gently in a lightly oiled skillet over low heat until just warmed through. Avoid the microwave, as it can make the meat rubbery.

Saltimbocca alla Romana Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 5g
  • Protein: 45g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Sodium: 850mg
  • Sugar: 2g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Why don’t you add salt to the veal?

Prosciutto is a salt-cured ham, so it is already quite salty. Seasoning the veal with just pepper is usually sufficient, as the prosciutto will season the meat as it cooks.

How do I keep the prosciutto and sage from falling off?

Pounding the veal thin helps the prosciutto adhere. You can also secure the prosciutto and sage to the veal by weaving a toothpick through all three layers. Just remember to remove the toothpicks before serving!

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

It’s not ideal for making completely ahead of time, as it’s best served fresh from the pan. However, you can prepare the veal escalopes by pounding them and layering them with the sage and prosciutto. Stack them between layers of parchment paper in the refrigerator for a few hours before you plan to cook them.

Try More Recipes:

Saltimbocca alla Romana Recipe

Course: DinnerCuisine: RomanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Calories

450

kcal

Tender veal escalopes topped with fresh sage and salty prosciutto, pan-fried and finished with a rich Marsala wine sauce.

Ingredients

  • 4 (150g) veal escalopes

  • 8 fresh sage leaves

  • 8 slices prosciutto

  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter

  • 1 swig Marsala wine

  • Olive oil

  • 1 lemon

Directions

  • Pound veal escalopes until 5mm thick; season with pepper.
  • Top each escalope with 2 sage leaves and 2 slices of prosciutto.
  • Pan-fry in butter and oil for 2 minutes per side until golden.
  • Remove veal and keep warm.
  • Deglaze the pan with Marsala and remaining butter to create a sauce.
  • Serve veal with the sauce drizzled over and lemon wedges on the side.

Notes

  • Pounding the veal thinly is crucial for a tender result and quick cooking time.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan; fry the escalopes in two batches to ensure they brown nicely rather than steam.
  • The simple pan sauce made from the browned bits in the pan (the “fond”) and Marsala is essential to the dish’s flavor.
  • Be ready to serve immediately, as this dish comes together very quickly.

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