Pork Saltimbocca alla Romana (Pork with Prosciutto and Sage)
Why this recipe works
- Fast, controlled cooking: Thin pork escalopes cook in minutes, making it easy to keep the meat tender rather than dry.
- Prosciutto and sage do the heavy lifting: The salty cured ham and aromatic sage season the pork as it fries, giving the dish its recognisable saltimbocca flavour.
- Bright pan sauce: White wine lifts the browned pan juices, while cold butter rounds the sauce into a glossy finish.
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Authenticity notes
- Pork instead of veal: Saltimbocca alla Romana is classically made with thin veal, prosciutto and sage; pork escalopes are a practical variation with a similar quick-cooking structure.
- Keep the meat thin: The dish depends on a very quick pan-fry, so even, thin cutlets are more important than long cooking.
Texture tips
- Even thickness matters: If the pork is uneven, gently flatten it before cooking so the thinner edges do not dry out before the centre is done.
- Cook to order: Remove the pork as soon as it is just cooked through; it will toughen if left in the pan while the sauce reduces.
Common mistakes
- Avoid crowding: Cook in batches if needed so the prosciutto sets and browns lightly rather than steaming.
- Do not boil the butter sauce: Lower the heat before whisking in the cold butter; boiling can make the sauce greasy instead of glossy.
Serving ideas
- Simple sides work best: Serve with sautéed greens, roast potatoes or crusty bread to catch the wine and butter pan juices.
- Wine pairing: A dry Italian white such as Frascati, Verdicchio or Pinot Grigio suits the sage, prosciutto and buttery sauce.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat the pork dry, then season lightly on both sides with the salt and pepper. Lay 2 to 3 sage leaves on each cutlet and drape the prosciutto over the top, pressing gently so it adheres.
- Put the flour on a plate and lightly dust the pork on both sides, shaking off any excess. Keep the prosciutto side neat so it stays in place.
- Heat the olive oil and half the butter in a frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the pork prosciutto-side down and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the prosciutto is set and lightly golden, then turn and cook for 1 to 2 minutes more until just cooked through.
- Transfer the pork to warm plates. Pour off any excess fat if needed, then add the wine to the pan and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, scraping up the browned bits, until reduced by about half.
- Lower the heat and whisk in the remaining butter until the sauce looks glossy and lightly thickened; do not let it boil. Spoon the pan juices over the pork and serve straight away.
Recipe notes
Tips
- Keep the pork thin so it cooks quickly; if it is thicker than about 1 cm, place it between two sheets of baking paper and gently bash to an even thickness.
- Use a medium-high heat so the prosciutto sets and the flour browns lightly without drying out the pork.
- If serving anyone who should avoid alcohol, simmer the wine thoroughly so the sauce reduces well before adding the butter.
Substitutions
- Replace Dry White Wine with dry red wine for a deeper, more robust sauce.
- Replace Olive oil with Unsalted butter for a richer, more buttery base, but keep the heat moderate to prevent burning.
- Replace Plain flour with rice flour for a lighter coating.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a frying pan over a low heat with a splash of water until piping hot, taking care not to boil the sauce.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 2 servings
- Total time: 25min (20min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Italian
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Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
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