Chicken Fried Steak

Southern Living Recipe

Ingredients:

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

4 (4 ounce) cube steaks

38 saltine crackers (1 sleeve), crushed

1 1/4 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided

1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

4 1/3 cups milk, divided

1 large eggs

3 1/2 cups peanut oil

Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steaks. Set aside.

Combine cracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper. Whisk together 1/3 cup milk and egg. Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge again in cracker mixture.

Pour oil into a 12 inch skillet; heat to 360 degrees (Do not use a nonstick skillet). Fry steaks 10 minutes. Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a wire rack on a jellyroll pan. Keep steaks warm in a 225 degree F. oven. Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet. Whisk together remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 4 cups milk. Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with steaks and mashed potatoes.