Ingredients:
4 (1/2 pound) beef cube steaks
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (e.g., Tabasco™)
1 large egg
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups vegetable shortening for frying
4 cups milk
To taste, add kosher salt and ground black pepper.
Instructions:
Place the beef cube steaks between two layers of plastic wrap and pound them to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
Fill a small basin with two cups of flour.
In a separate shallow bowl, stir together the baking powder, baking soda, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 3/4 teaspoon of salt. Add the buttermilk, hot pepper sauce, egg, and minced garlic. Stir to combine the batter.
Heat the vegetable shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Place a wire rack over a sheet of parchment paper to drain the fried steaks.
While the shortening is heating, dredge a steak in flour to coat it, shaking off any excess. Dip the coated steak into the buttermilk batter, allowing any excess batter to drip back into the bowl. Press the steak into the flour again to coat both sides completely. Place the breaded steak on the wire rack and repeat the breading process for the remaining steaks.
Fry the steaks in batches, if necessary, until they are evenly golden brown, approximately 3 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the fried steaks to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Cover them with foil to keep them warm while you make the gravy.
Remove the fat from the skillet, saving as much of the solid residue and 1/4 cup of the liquid.
Add the saved oil to the skillet and put it back to medium-low heat.
. Whisk the remaining 1/4 cup of flour into the oil, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release any solids into the gravy.
After adding the milk, turn up the heat to medium and simmer the gravy.
Cook, stirring often, until the gravy thickens, approximately 6 to 7 minutes. Season the gravy with kosher salt and ground black pepper.
Transfer the chicken fried steaks to a platter and pour the gravy over the top.
Enjoy The Best Chicken Fried Steak with its flavorful gravy!