Braggin' rights chicken fried steak

4 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2poundsRoundsteak, sliced 1/2 inch thick and twice-tenderized by the butcher
2cupsAll-purpose flour
2teaspoonsBaking powder
1teaspoonBaking soda
1teaspoonFresh ground black pepper
¾teaspoonSalt
cupButtermilk
1largeEgg
1tablespoonHot red pepper sauce
2Garlic cloves, minced
Crisco for deep frying
¼cupPan drippings
3tablespoonsAll-purpose flour
2cupsEvaporated milk
1cupUnsalted beef stock
½teaspoonFresh ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Mashed potatoes
Homemade buttermilk biscuits

Directions

STEAK

CLASSIC CREAM GRAVY

OPTIONAL

Cut steak into 4 equal portions. Pound until each is about ¼ inch thick. Place flour in a shallow bowl. In a second dish, stir together baking powder, soda, pepper and salt; mix in buttermilk, egg, pepper sauce and garlic. The mixture will be thin.

Dredge each steak first in flour, then in batter. Dunk steaks back into flour and dredge well, patting in the flour until the surface of the meat is dry.

Add enough shortening to a deep cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to deep fry steaks in at least 4 inches of fat. Bring temperature of shortening to 325 degrees. Fry the steaks, pushing them under the fat or turning them as they bob to the surface, for 7 to 8 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Drain steaks on paper towels and transfer to a platter. Keep warm while preparing Classic Cream Gravy.

Divide steaks among 4 plates and serve with mashed potatoes and gravy. CLASSIC CREAM GRAVY:

After cookingf chicken-fried steak or similar dish, pour off the top fat through a strainer, leaving about ½ cup pan drippings in the bottom of the skillet. Return any browned cracklings from the strainer to the skillet before starting the gravy.

Place skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring to avoid lumps. Add milk and stock. Simmer until liquid is thickened and the raw flour taste is gone, about 3 minutes. Stir the gravy up from the bottom frequently, scraping up any browned bits. Season with pepper and salt. Makes about 3 cups.