Yield: 2 to 3 servings

Scott Nowell

Who doesn’t love Chicken Fried Steak?

A work in progress. I can’t help but tweak it occasionally. 

Steak

• 1lb cube steak, 4 pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1cup all-purpose flour
• ½tsp baking soda
• ½tsp baking powder
• ½tsp paprika
• 2tsp Kosher salt
• 1tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1whole egg, beaten
• 1cup milk
• hot sauce, to taste (optional)
• vegetable oil for frying

Gravy

• 1heaping TBS all-purpose flour
• 1cup water
• 1heaping tsp Better Than Bouillon, Beef
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Season the steak on both side with salt and pepper.

In a medium flat dish or a plastic bag, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pepper, and combine well.

In another flat dish stir together the egg, milk, hot sauce to taste (optional), and season well with salt and pepper.

Dredge each piece of meat in the seasoned flour, then in the seasoned milk and back into the flour, allowing excess to drip off. Set out on a rack fitted over a baking sheet and allow to rest in the refrigerator for 20 to 25 minutes before cooking.

Add about 2 to 3 TBS vegetable oil to a large skillet or cast iron pan and heat over medium-high heat to 365°F. Once heated and working in batches, fry steaks 2 at a time until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove steaks and drain on a rack over paper towels.

Gravy:

Carefully remove some of the fat from the pan, reserving 2 TBS. With the pan over medium heat, sprinkle in 1 heaping TBS of flour and whisk to make a roux, scraping up any brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Once the flour has been fully incorporated, slowly add the milk and continue to whisk until the gravy is nice and thick. Season well with salt and plenty ground black pepper, then whisk in hot sauce if desired.

Place the steaks on a serving platter, top with gravy and serve.

Serve with: