Image Credit : Enjoying with paula recipes
Ingredients:
- 4 (1/2 pound) beef cube steaks
- 2.25 cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (e.g., Tabasco™)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups vegetable shortening for frying
- 4 cups milk
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
Step 1: Preparing for the Adventure: Before we embark on our culinary journey, gather all your ingredients and utensils. Don your apron, summon your inner chef, and let’s dive into this epic quest for the perfect Chicken Fried Steak!
Step 2: Tenderizing the Beef: Take your beef cube steaks and tenderize them gently with a meat mallet. This step not only helps to tenderize the meat but also ensures that each bite is bursting with flavor!
Step 3: Creating the Flavorful Coating: In a bowl, combine 1.25 cups of all-purpose flour with baking powder, baking soda, black pepper, and salt. This magical blend will serve as the flavorful coating for our Chicken Fried Steak. Mix it up well and set it aside for now.
Step 4: The Buttermilk Bath: In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, hot pepper sauce, egg, and minced garlic. This buttermilk bath will infuse our steaks with irresistible flavor and ensure they come out perfectly juicy and tender.
Step 5: Dipping and Coating: Dip each tenderized steak into the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring it’s coated on all sides. Then, dunk it into the buttermilk bath, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, give it another generous coating of the seasoned flour mixture. This double-dipping technique guarantees a crispy, golden crust that will make your taste buds sing!
Step 6: Time to Fry! Heat the vegetable shortening in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot and sizzling, carefully place your coated steaks into the pan. Fry them for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they’re gloriously golden brown and crispy.
Step 7: The Creamy Gravy: While your steaks are frying to perfection, let’s whip up a creamy gravy to accompany them. In a separate saucepan, combine the remaining 1 cup of flour with the milk, stirring constantly over medium heat until thickened. Season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste, and voilà! You’ve got yourself a luscious gravy worthy of any Chicken Fried Steak.
Step 8: Serving Up Satisfaction: Once your steaks are cooked to crispy perfection and your gravy is piping hot, it’s time to plate up! Serve your Chicken Fried Steak alongside a generous ladle of creamy gravy, and watch as your fellow adventurers marvel at your culinary prowess.
Step 9: Enjoy the Spoils of Victory: Gather ’round the table with friends and family, raise your forks high, and indulge in the glorious feast before you. With each bite of tender steak and creamy gravy, savor the taste of victory and the joy of culinary triumph!
Conclusion: Congratulations, brave food adventurer, you’ve conquered the ultimate quest for the Best Chicken Fried Steak!
