Southern Chicken Fried Steak Recipes

Steps:

• Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic. Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and again in the flour. Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.
• Heat the shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place fried steaks on a plate 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. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy. Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
• Cut the meat with the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Season each piece on both sides with the salt and pepper. Place the flour into a pie pan. Place the eggs into a separate pie pan. Dredge the meat on both sides in the flour. Tenderize the meat, using a needling device, until each slice is 1/4-inch thick. Once tenderized, dredge the meat again in the flour, followed by the egg and finally in the flour again. Repeat with all the pieces of meat. Place the meat onto a plate and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking.
• Place enough of the vegetable oil to cover the bottom of a 12-inch slope-sided skillet and set over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, add the meat in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each piece on both sides until golden brown, approximately 4 minutes per side. Remove the steaks to a wire rack set in a half sheet pan and place into the oven. Repeat until all of the meat is browned.
• Add the remaining vegetable oil, or at least 1 tablespoon, to the pan. Whisk in 3 tablespoons of the flour left over from the dredging. Add the chicken broth and deglaze the pan. Whisk until the gravy comes to a boil and begins to thicken. Add the milk and thyme and whisk until the gravy coats the back of a spoon, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Season to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed. Serve the gravy over the steaks.

Steps:

• In medium bowl, place first 7 "dry" ingredients and mix well. Set aside.
• In another medium bowl, place the next 4 "liquid" ingredients and use whisk to mix well. Set aside.
• Carefully transfer dry mixture onto a dinner plate.
• Start heating oil of your choice to a medium high heat in large skillet (Cast Iron is true Southern style).
• The oil should be about 1/4" to 1/2" deep and should not cover the entire cutlet.
• Take a cutlet and dredge in flour mixture.
• Take same cutlet and dip in egg mixture until entirely coated.
• REPEAT dredging same cutlet in flour mixture.
• Repeat process for each cutlet.
• Discard unused egg and flour mixtures.
• In well heated oil, carefully place cutlets and fry until golden brown on bottom.
• Turn each cutlet over to brown the other side.
• Each side should take about 4 - 5 minutes.
• Place fried cutlets on paper towels to drain excess oil.
• Pour off all but 1/4 C grease from skillet.
• Heat to a Medium High temperature.
• Slowly add Flour whisking until well blended. (Don't use leftover flour/cornmeal mixture).
• When the color slightly begins to darken, slowly add milk.
• Continue whisking to prevent lumps.
• Gravy will begin to bubble and thicken.
• Add evaporated milk and whisk well.
• Add chicken stock and whisk well.
• Add Salt and Pepper, blending well.
• Allow gravy to simmer 2 minutes on low heat.
• Turn off heat and allow to sit 2-5 minutes before serving.
• Gravy will thicken nicely.