Classic Saltimbocca Recipes

Steps:

• Prep the veal: Stretch a sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface. Place a few drops of water on the plastic (to keep the meat from sticking), then put down a veal cutlet. Arrange 3 sage leaves on the veal; then place a layer of prosciutto over the sage leaves. Add a few more drops of water, then place another piece of plastic wrap on top. Using a rolling pin, pound the veal so the prosciutto adheres to the veal. Repeat with remaining veal, sage, and prosciutto. Chill cutlets in the refrigerator, 15 minutes.
• Cook the veal: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Peel the plastic from the veal and dust with flour on both sides, shaking off excess. Season with black pepper. Working in batches, place 2 pieces of veal into the skillet, prosciutto side down. Cook until the edges start to brown, 2 minutes. Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss arugula with ¼ cup olive oil and a generous squeeze of lemon juice; set aside.
• After the cutlets have begun to brown on the edges, flip them over. Add ½ cup wine to deglaze the pan, then continue cooking to reduce the wine by half, shaking the pan over the heat, 30-60 seconds. Add 1 tablespoon butter and turn off the heat; swirl the pan around to melt the butter and bring the sauce together. Repeat with remaining veal, wine, and butter. Assembly: Place veal on a plate and spoon sauce on top; garnish with a generous helping of arugula before serving.

Steps:

• Begin by turning the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sage leaves with stems and let simmer until the sage has crisped and the oil has infused with the sage flavoring, about 2 minutes. Remove the sage and reserve the oil in the skillet.
• If you have thick chicken breasts, butterfly them in half. Place the chicken between two pieces of plastic wrap and, using the flat side of a meat tenderizer, pound out until an even 1/2-inch-thick. Remove from the plastic and sprinkle each chicken breast with the salt and pepper on both sides. Then dredge in the flour and dust off the excess.
• Add the canola oil to the same skillet over medium-high heat with the sage infused olive oil. Working in batches, add the chicken breasts to the skillet, searing on both sides. After 2 to 3 minutes, turn the chicken breasts and brown the other side for 2 minutes. Chop the sage that was crisping with the olive oil and sprinkle on the chicken breasts. Place a single slice of prosciutto on top of each chicken breast and press it down firmly so it sticks. Then add the provolone slices on top. Place in the oven for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Deglaze the pan with the white wine and cook over high heat until reduced slightly. Add the chicken broth and simmer until reduced by half. Remove the pan from the heat and add the cold butter cubes. Swirl until the butter has melted completely and the sauce has a sheen to it. Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnish with the parsley.

Steps:

• Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken to flatten a bit. Salt and pepper each piece on both sides and place on a platter. Sprinkle with chopped sage, garlic, red pepper flakes (if using) and olive oil. Massage in the seasoning to distribute, cover and marinate at room temperature for one hour, or refrigerate for up to several hours.
• Heat a wide skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil looks wavy, add the sage leaves and let them crisp for about 30 seconds. Remove and drain.
• Brown the chicken breasts in the oil for about 2 minutes per side, then transfer to a baking dish large enough to fit them in one layer.
• Top each piece with 2 sage leaves, a slice of prosciutto and a slice of fontina. Broil for 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling. Garnish with remaining sage leaves.

Steps:

• Slice the tenderloin (the small flap of meat) from chicken breast halves; set aside. Cut each breast on the bias into 3 medallions. Place tenderloins and medallions between 2 layers of plastic wrap and pound to 1/16 inch thick. On each piece, layer a slice of Fontina, half a slice of prosciutto, and a sage leaf; secure by threading a toothpick through the layers. Sprinkle underside of each with salt and pepper.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over high heat. Saute half the pieces, chicken side down, until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and cook 1 minute more. Remove from pan and keep warm. Repeat with 1 tablespoon butter and remaining chicken. Remove and keep warm.
• Pour Madeira into skillet and let reduce slightly, about 1 minute. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and cook, swirling pan, until sauce thickens, about 30 seconds. Pour sauce over chicken, remove toothpicks, and serve immediately.