Chicken-Fried Steak
🛒 Ingredients
For the Steak:
- 4 Cube steaks (tenderized beef) 🥩
- 1 cup All-purpose flour 🌾
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1 tsp Garlic powder & 1 tsp Onion powder
- Salt & Black Pepper to taste 🧂
- 2 Large eggs + 1/2 cup Whole milk (for the egg wash) 🥛🥚
- Vegetable oil for frying 🍳
For the Country Gravy:
- 1/4 cup Pan drippings (reserved from frying) 🥘
- 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
- 2-3 cups Whole milk 🥛
- Lots of cracked black pepper 🖤
- Salt to taste 🧂
👩🍳 Instructions
- Season the Meat: Season your cube steaks generously with salt and pepper on both sides. 🧂🥩
- The Breading Station: * Bowl 1: Whisk together the eggs and milk. 🥛🥚
- Bowl 2: Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. 🌾✨
- Double-Dredge for Crunch: Dip each steak into the flour, then the egg wash, and then back into the flour. Press the flour in firmly to ensure a thick, craggy crust! 🧤
- Sizzle Time: Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large heavy skillet (cast iron is perfect!) over medium-high heat. 🍳🔥
- Fry to Perfection: Fry the steaks for 3–5 minutes per side until they are deep golden brown and crispy. Remove to a wire rack. ⏲️✨
- Make the Gravy: Drain all but 1/4 cup of the oil from the skillet (keep those browned bits!). Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and simmer until thick and bubbly. Season heavily with black pepper! 🥛🍲
- Serve: Serve your steak hot, smothered in gravy, with a side of toast and eggs if you’re feeling extra hungry! 🍽️🍳😋
🔥 Pro Tips:
- The “Lacy” Crust: Using a little baking powder in the flour helps create those light, airy, crispy bits on the outside of the steak! ✨🥐
- Keep it Hot: If you’re cooking in batches, keep the finished steaks in a warm oven (200°F) so they stay crunchy while you finish the gravy. 🌡️
