recipes | eats | travel

Chicken Fried Steak

We got a great deal on cubed (round) steak at our local Harris Teeter, and decided that this awesome comfort food recipe was just what we needed on this cold, damp, drizzly Eastern Shore weekend!

Ingredients:

• 4 cubed steaks (about 1 1/2 lb total weight), cut in half (creating 8 manageable pieces)
• Canola oil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning (Pampered Chef makes the best!)
• 1 1/2-2 cups milk for gravy (we use 1%)

• Mashed potatoes - whatever recipe works for you! We prefer Russets, with milk, salt, a dash of black pepper, and lotsa butter.

Blend the dry ingredients in a small baking dish.

Dip the steaks in the flour mix, coating well, then in the buttermilk (in a small baking dish). Shake off excess milk.

Dredge wet steaks in the flour mix again (using one hand for wet, one for dry), making sure steaks are well coated.

Place steaks on baking sheet that has been covered with waxed paper, then place in freezer for about 15 minutes.

In cast iron pan, add 1/2 inch canola oil, bringing to med-high heat. (Test with small piece of steak to insure proper heat). Cook steaks in small batches about 3 minutes per side, til golden brown and crispy, being careful not to burn. 

Place steaks in warm oven to maintain crisp exterior, about 200-225 degrees.

With drippings still in pan and temp reset to medium, add plain flour equal to the amount of oil in pan (usually about 1/4 cup), stirring and browning slightly to create a roux. Add milk in 1/4 cup increments, stirring constantly. Continue adding milk to desired consistancy, bringing to soft boil. Add salt and pepper to taste (LOTS of pepper is required if you want to kick it up a little). Simmer til “floury” taste is gone, then serve with steak and mashed potatoes. (Corn makes an excellent accompaniment to this meal).

Hubby, who had never had this incredible American/Southern/Comfort food meal, was very happy, and declared this a “must-do-again” recipe…….

I win!!