Chicken Fried Steak

I've made all sorts of things over the years. I've been lucky to work in a four star restaurant and we were encouraged to be creative and inventive. So that's the direction my mind tends to go in when I cook. But I was also a mother and a home cook too. So simple things are what I grew up doing. But here and there I wandered thru recipes and such and occasionally run across something Ive heard of but never eaten or cooked. Chicken Fried Steaks is one of them.

My bf says he loves this. And I want to do it well but the fact is Ive never made this ever before. I don't even know what it tastes like. I bought some cube steaks on sale yesterday. I found a recipe online. Then I posted another blog on my personal site and asked all my good southern cook friends what they do to make this dish. So I took that recipe and their advice and made my own. My bf said it was very good and wants the leftovers for breakfast. Anytime he actually wants our leftovers is a good sign that it was excellent. He usually doesn't like eating things a second time.

So heres my recipe based on the one I found and the advice from friends. I did however use a packaged country gravy mix this time. My back has been out real bad and I was trying to limit my time in the kitchen. I do that occasionally when I'm in a hurry to make dinner. Next time however I will make my own.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK Serves 4

1 pkg. country gravy mix
1 c. flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tsp. of freshly ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 large egg
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup olive oil
4 large cube steaks

On a plate combine salt, pepper, paprika, onion and garlic powder. Mix well. In a small shallow bowl, beat together eggs and milk. In heavy skillet, heat oil over medium high heat.

Coat cube steaks first in flour mix, dip in egg, then again in flour mix. Fry steaks 2-3 minutes each side, or until desired doneness. At this point I removed the steaks to a plate. Since some of the flour burned and I used a non stick pan, I just wiped it out and added the pkged. mix and water to it. Heat till thick and add steaks back. Cover and cook a few min. more so juices get to flavor the gravy some. Serve.

I served this with mashed potatoes and string beans. I was told corn actually goes great with this but didnt have any in the house this time. Also biscuits are good to for sopping up extra gravy.