What evil genius came up with the idea for chicken-fried steak? Just when I’m trying to be good, eating my salads, avoiding sugars, my brain decides to make chicken-fried steak, it won’t let go until the deed is done!!! The crispy beef patty with white gravy (better known as) Country Fried Steak, try this scrumptious recipe, you’ll love it!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

4 (1/2 pound each) beef cube steak

2 C. all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 T. garlic powder

1 T. black pepper

1 T. salt

2 C. buttermilk

3 eggs

1 T. hot pepper sauce, such as Tabasco

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

4-5 C. vegetable shortening, for deep-frying

Gravy

1⁄2 C. all-purpose flour

4 T. butter

4 C. milk

Salt and pepper to taste

What to do:

Pound the steaks to about a 1/4 inch thickness (or you can buy them prepared). Place flour in a shallow bowl and add in baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. In a separate shallow bowl stir in buttermilk, egg, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Dredge each steak first in flour, then in batter, and again in flour. Pat flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.

Add oil to cast iron skillet or frying pan and heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 325 degrees. Once the oil is hot and ready, fry each steak on each side (3 to 5 minutes) until golden brown. Place fried steaks on a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible. Return the skillet to medium-low heat with the reserved oil.  Stir in flour and butter; creating a roux, cook until light brown in color.  Stir in milk, raise the heat to medium and bring gravy to a simmer. Cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with mashed potatoes and smother the gravy over all of it (no judging here) before serving.