Recipe: Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy
Description:
Indulge in the quintessential Texan comfort food with this classic recipe for Chicken Fried Steak. Each family and restaurant has its own variations, but the creamy gravy is the non-negotiable secret ingredient that elevates this dish to perfection.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Shortening | 1/4 – 1/2 inch |
| Beef cutlets | 6-8 |
| Seasoned flour | 3-4 cups |
| Eggs | 3 |
| Milk | 2 cups |
| Flour | 1/4 cup |
| Milk (for gravy) | 4 cups |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
Instructions:
-
Preparation:
- Heat about 1/4 to 1/2 inch of oil or shortening in a large frying pan over medium heat.
-
Prepare Egg Wash:
- In a shallow dish, beat the eggs and combine them with milk to create an egg-milk wash.
-
Dredge the Beef Cutlets:
- Dredge each tenderized beef cutlet first in seasoned flour, then in the egg-milk wash, and finally in seasoned flour again.
-
Fry the Cutlets:
- Place the dredged cutlets into the heated oil and fry until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
- Carefully turn the steak over and continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes until both sides are golden brown and crispy.
-
Drain the Cutlets:
- Remove the fried steak from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
-
Prepare the Cream Gravy:
- Drain all but 1-2 tablespoons of drippings from the frying pan, ensuring to leave all the cooked bits.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour with milk, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Pour the milk mixture into the pan with the drippings and bits.
-
Cook the Gravy:
- Continuously stir or whisk the gravy over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, or until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or pepper if necessary.
-
Serve:
- Generously ladle the creamy gravy over each piece of chicken fried steak.
- Accompany the dish with biscuits to sop up any extra gravy.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 438.4
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6.4g
- Cholesterol: 127.2mg
- Sodium: 156.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 63.2g
- Fiber: 1.8g
- Sugar: 0.3g
- Protein: 18.1g
Recipe Notes:
- To tenderize the beef cutlets, you can use a meat mallet or the back of a heavy skillet to pound them to an even thickness.
- Adjust the seasoning in the flour mixture according to your taste preferences. Some common additions include garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- For a richer gravy, you can use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of milk.
- Serve the Chicken Fried Steak with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or your favorite side dishes for a complete meal.
Indulge in the rich flavors and hearty textures of this classic Southern dish, perfect for any meal of the day. Enjoy the crispy exterior of the chicken fried steak paired with the creamy goodness of the homemade gravy, guaranteed to satisfy your comfort food cravings.
