Cooktop Cove: 'Texas Comfort King'—so good, it’s like the gravy was made to make everything better!
By Georgia Lynn
Chicken fried steak is a beloved dish that carries the heart of Southern comfort food right to your table. This dish, with its roots in the rural kitchens of the Midwest, is a testament to the ingenuity of home cooks who transformed simple ingredients into something truly special. Often associated with Sunday dinners and family gatherings, chicken fried steak is a meal that brings people together, evoking memories of laughter-filled kitchens and the warmth of home. It's a dish that invites you to slow down and savor the simple joys of life.
This hearty dish pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes and green beans cooked with a bit of bacon for that extra touch of flavor. A side of buttery corn on the cob or a fresh, tangy coleslaw can add a delightful contrast to the richness of the steak and gravy. And don't forget a warm biscuit or a slice of cornbread to help you mop up every last bit of that delicious gravy.
Southern Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy
Servings: 4
Ingredients
4 beef cube steaks
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
Vegetable oil for frying
2 cups milk (for gravy)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for gravy)
Salt and pepper to taste (for gravy)
Directions
1. Begin by preparing your breading station. In one shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. In another dish, whisk together the eggs and milk.
2. Dredge each cube steak in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, and back into the flour mixture, ensuring each steak is well coated.
3. Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the steaks to the skillet.
4. Fry the steaks for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the steaks from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. To make the gravy, drain all but about 1/4 cup of the oil from the skillet, leaving the browned bits in the pan.
6. Stir in the 1/4 cup of flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
7. Gradually whisk in the 2 cups of milk, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
8. Continue to cook and stir until the gravy thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. Serve the chicken fried steak smothered in gravy, with your choice of sides.
Variations & Tips
For a bit of a twist, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a little heat. You can also use buttermilk instead of regular milk in the egg mixture for a tangier flavor. If you're looking for a lighter version, consider baking the steaks instead of frying them, though they won't have quite the same crispy texture. For a gluten-free option, use a gluten-free flour blend in place of the all-purpose flour.
Copyright 2016 Cooktop Cove