🍽️Meat Dish

Cheese-Topped Beef Cutlets (Kotlet Panir)

Name: Cheese-Topped Beef Cutlets (Kotlet Panir)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Meat Dish
Ingredients: 1/2 slice toast bread, crusts removed; 3 tablespoons milk; 700 g ground beef; 1 large egg, beaten; 2/3 cup breadcrumbs; Liquid oil, as needed; 2 large firm tomatoes, sliced; 1 teaspoon dried thyme powder; 6 slices pizza-style cheese; 1 slice ham, cut into strips; Salt, to taste; Black pepper, to taste

"Elevate your dinner table with these decadent beef cutlets, featuring a golden-crisp crust and a luxurious molten cheese topping."

Prep:20 min

Cook:45 min

LevelMedium

Analyzing...

● Ingredients

1/2 slice toast bread, crusts removed
3 tablespoons milk
700 g ground beef
1 large egg, beaten
2/3 cup breadcrumbs
Liquid oil, as needed
2 large firm tomatoes, sliced
1 teaspoon dried thyme powder
6 slices pizza-style cheese
1 slice ham, cut into strips
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

🌱 High-Protein🌱 Comfort Food🌱 Meat-Lovers⚡ Medium

❤️Health42%

😋Taste88%

🥳Joy92%

👨‍🍳Difficulty35/100

📜 The Story

While the 'kotlet' is a staple of Persian home cooking influenced by Russian and French techniques, this 'Panir' (cheese) variation represents a modern urban fusion. It elevates the humble minced meat patty by incorporating European-style gratin techniques and deli ingredients for a more indulgent, contemporary profile.

🧬 Flavor DNA

🍋Sour

3/10

🧂Salty

6/10

🌶️Spicy

2/10

🍯Sweet

1/10

🍄umami

9/10

☕Bitter

1/10

✨ Sensory Profile

"The dish offers a satisfying textural journey from the crisp, breaded exterior of the beef to the velvety, molten cheese crown. Aromas of toasted thyme and grilled savory beef are punctuated by the bright, acidic burst of warm tomato and the smokiness of the ham strips."

Chef's Mastery

💡

The Secret

For the juiciest results, chill the shaped cutlets for 15-20 minutes before breading; this helps the proteins set and prevents the cutlets from falling apart on the grill.

⚠️

Avoid This

Using extra-lean beef can result in a dry cutlet; aim for an 80/20 fat ratio to ensure the meat stays moist under the cheese layer.

❄️

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer to revive the crispness of the breadcrumbs.

Instructions

Place the crustless bread in a small saucepan, pour over the milk, and warm gently over medium heat, stirring until the milk is fully absorbed.

Mash the softened bread into a smooth paste, remove from the heat, and let it cool slightly.

In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, soaked bread mixture, and beaten egg. Season with salt and black pepper.

Knead the mixture by hand for several minutes until smooth and well combined.

Divide the mixture into six equal portions and shape each into an oval cutlet.

Spread the breadcrumbs on a plate and coat each cutlet evenly on both sides.

Lightly brush or rub oil over both sides of the cutlets.

Grill on a barbecue, grill pan, or fry in a skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side, until browned and cooked through.

Top each cutlet with a slice of tomato, season lightly with salt and pepper, then place a slice of cheese on top.

Arrange two strips of ham over the cheese in a crisscross pattern and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, until the cheese softens and begins to melt. Serve hot.