VEAL SCALOPPINE IN MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare sauce, heat 1 tablespoon each of olive oil and butter in large skillet on 'medium' setting.
• Add onion, bell pepper and garlic; sweat until vegetables are tender.
• Add tomato paste, water, thyme, basil, sugar and crushed bay leaves; stir until tomato paste is incorporated and mixture is smooth.
• (Note: When using fresh herbs instead of dried, I approximately triple the amount of basil and double the thyme -- but you can tell better by taste than exact measurements. Replacing 1/2 cup of the water with wine is also an excellent option. And I *always* throw in the hot pepper flakes!).
• Taste mixture, adding salt and pepper as needed. (For inexperienced cooks, I would suggest starting with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and going -- slowly -- from there until it tastes just right.).
• Continue cooking over medium heat, allowing mixture to slowly reach a boil; at that point, reduce heat several notches and simmer gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, season veal scallops on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Measure flour and breadcrumbs into separate bowls.
• (Note: A scant measure of flour will be enough. Breadcrumbs can be fresh or commercial. Recipe calls for 'plain', but the Italian-seasoned kind work fine also.).
• Break egg into third bowl, beating well with a whisk.
• In a second skillet or large pot, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter on 'medium' setting.
• Dredge scallopini in flour, coating lightly but thoroughly on both sides; dip in beaten egg to coat; cover all over with breadcrumbs.
• Brown thoroughly in hot oil (depending on how brown you want them, it will take about 2-4 minutes per side); drain on paper towels.
• Add browned scallopini to marinara sauce, turning to coat if necessary; continue simmering slowly until meat is thoroughly done and very tender (10-15 minutes).