Treat yourself to a culinary journey through the heart of the South with our rendition of Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy—a dish steeped in tradition and bursting with flavor. Picture this: tender cube steaks, meticulously seasoned and encased in a crispy, golden-brown breading, all nestled beneath a blanket of velvety gravy that’s rich with savory goodness.
Ingredients:
- 4 beef cube steaks, each weighing approximately 1/3 pound: Select prime cuts of beef, meticulously sliced into perfectly portioned cube steaks, ensuring tender and succulent bites in every mouthful.
- 1 cup of versatile all-purpose flour: This kitchen staple acts as the foundation for the crispy coating of our chicken-fried steaks, providing a light and airy texture that perfectly encapsulates the savory goodness within.
- 1 teaspoon of vibrant paprika: Harnessing the earthy warmth of paprika, this spice infuses our dish with a subtle depth of flavor, adding a delightful hue to the golden-brown exterior of our cube steaks.
- 1/2 teaspoon each of aromatic garlic and onion powder: Blending the aromatic essences of garlic and onion powder, these ingredients contribute a fragrant complexity to our seasoning blend, enhancing the overall savory profile of our chicken-fried steaks.
- 1/2 teaspoon of bold black pepper: A sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper imparts a subtle burst of piquancy to our blend of seasonings, invigorating the palate and melding seamlessly with the other aromatic spices, resulting in a harmonious medley of flavors that dance delightfully on the taste buds.
- 1/2 teaspoon of fine salt: Balancing the savory medley of spices, a pinch of salt lends depth and dimension to our seasoning blend, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned and bursting with savory goodness.
- 2 eggs, whisked to perfection: Whisked with care, these eggs serve as the binding agent for our crispy coating, creating a luscious and velvety texture that adheres flawlessly to our cube steaks.
- 1/4 cup of creamy milk: With its rich and creamy texture, milk adds moisture and tenderness to our chicken-fried steaks, ensuring they remain succulent and juicy throughout the frying process.
- Vegetable oil for frying: Our chosen cooking medium, vegetable oil, is heated to the perfect temperature, ensuring a crispy and golden-brown exterior while sealing in the succulent flavors of our beef cube steaks.
For the Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons of oil reserved from frying: This carefully saved oil, infused with the rich flavors of frying, serves as the foundation for our delectable gravy, imbuing it with a depth of savory essence that elevates every spoonful.
- 2 tablespoons of versatile all-purpose flour: Acting as a thickening agent, this flour transforms our reserved oil into a velvety-smooth gravy, ensuring a luscious and indulgent texture that coats each morsel of our dish with irresistible goodness.
- 2 cups of creamy milk: Combined with our flour and reserved oil, this creamy milk brings a luxurious richness to our gravy, creating a silky-smooth consistency that blankets our chicken-fried steaks in decadent flavor.
- Salt and pepper to taste: A finishing flourish of seasoning, meticulously tailored to your individual taste preferences, imbues our gravy with layers of richness and intricacy, guaranteeing a symphony of flavors that captivates the senses with each delectable mouthful.
Preparation Method:
- Begin by gently patting the cube steaks dry with paper towels, ensuring they’re free from excess moisture. This step is crucial as it enables the breading to adhere seamlessly to the meat, promising a crispy coating and succulent texture in every bite.
- Craft the perfect seasoning blend by combining all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a shallow dish. Stir meticulously to ensure an even distribution of spices throughout the flour mixture, enhancing the depth of flavor in every mouthful.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until they form a smooth and velvety mixture. This delightful concoction acts as the binding agent, coaxing the breading to cling lovingly to the cube steaks, creating a sumptuous and indulgent texture.
- Dip each cube steak into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring both sides are generously coated with the aromatic blend. Gently shake off any excess flour to maintain a delicate balance of flavors and textures.
- Next, immerse the flour-coated cube steaks into the luscious egg and milk mixture, ensuring a thorough coating on all sides. This luxurious bath further enhances the richness of the dish, promising a decadent and satisfying experience with every bite.
- Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches the optimal frying temperature of 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the coated cube steaks into the sizzling oil, ensuring they’re not overcrowded, allowing each steak to achieve golden perfection.
- Fry the cube steaks for approximately 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they boast a glorious golden-brown hue and are cooked through to juicy perfection. Once fried to perfection, transfer the delectable cube steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess oil, ensuring a crisp and delightful texture.
For the Gravy:
- In the same skillet used to fry the cube steaks, reserve a tantalizing amount of frying oil, discarding the excess. To this, add a generous helping of all-purpose flour, stirring continuously to create a rich and flavorful roux.
- Allow the roux to gently cook over medium heat until it transforms into a luscious golden-brown hue, infusing the air with its nutty aroma, signaling the perfect base for our indulgent gravy.
- Gradually pour in the creamy milk, stirring diligently to prevent any pesky lumps from forming, ensuring a smooth and velvety texture. Allow the gravy to simmer gently, coaxing out its rich flavors and thickening to the desired consistency.
Conclusion:
Enjoy the comforting flavors of homemade Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy, a timeless dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to any mealtime. With its crispy exterior, tender meat, and creamy gravy, this Southern favorite is sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. Serve it alongside mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or buttery biscuits for a complete and satisfying meal that will delight your taste buds and fill your belly with joy.
