Bonnies Chicken Fried Steak The Best Recipes

THE BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

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.

THE BEST CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Liberally sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper (see Cook's Note). Put them on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature while you make the gravy.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour until combined and cook until golden and bubbling, about 1 minute. Whisk in the whole milk, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy boils. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm; it will seem loose but will thicken as it sits.
• Whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Working with 1 steak at a time, dredge in the seasoned flour, turning to coat and packing into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture into the seasoned flour and work it in with your fingers; it should feel like wet sand with some clumps. (These clumps will give the steak a crispy, shaggy crust.) Dip the dredged steaks into the remaining buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Pack the moistened flour firmly onto each steak. Very gently shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Pour the oil into a large cast-iron skillet fitted with a deep-fry thermometer (the oil should come about halfway up the sides). Heat the oil over high heat until the thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Whisk the warm cream gravy to loosen it and serve over the chicken-fried steak.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Cut the steak into 4 equal portions.
• Put the buttermilk in a medium baking dish and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Combine the 2 1/2 cups of flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, chile de arbol and 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper in a bowl and divide it between 2 baking dishes.
• Dredge the steak, a few pieces at a time, in the flour mixture and pat off the excess. Dip them in the buttermilk and allow the excess to drain off. Dredge them again in the flour and pat off the excess. Put the chicken pieces on a baking rack set over a baking sheet while the oil heats.
• Heat 1-inch of oil in a large cast iron skillet until it reaches 360 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Add the meat, 2 pieces at a time, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove them to a plate lined with paper towels and season with salt, to taste. Repeat with the remaining pieces. Transfer the meat to a rack set on a baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven while you make the gravy.
• Remove all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet, leaving the crunchy pieces from the breading. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels.
• Return the skillet to the stove over medium heat. Whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour into the pan and let it cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the warm milk and continue to cook, whisking occasionally until thickened. Stir in the heavy cream and thyme and season with salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Serve 1 piece of steak per person ladled with some of the sauce and garnished with a few pieces of bacon. Garnish with thyme sprigs.

TOM AND KELLY'S CHICKEN FRIED STEAK!

Steps:

• *Have your butcher "cube" 2 lean boneless pork chops for you.
• In pie plate, place flour. Season with as much salt and pepper as you like.
• In another pie plate beat egg and beat in buttermilk.
• In third pie plate, place cracker crumbs.
• Lightly coat chops on both sides in flour mixture.
• Dip one at a time into egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then coat nicely in cracker crumbs. Pat on.
• Place chops into hot oil mixture over medium heat and fry for about 3-4 minutes or or til golden brown.
• Turn and fry other side til done (*you may need 2 large spatulas to do this!), about another 3-4 minutes or til golden brown on both sides.
• Serve with gravy, mashed potatoes, biscuits and vegetables.

BONNIE'S TWICE COOKED OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Soak chicken in cold salted water for an hour.
• Remove and pat dry.
• Combine all ingredients in a bowl or bag.
• Toss in chicken and coat well.
• Put about an inch of oil in heavy pan .
• fry chicken for about 10 minutes on each side to brown.
• Place on a foil lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 F approximatly 25 minutes or until juices run clear.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK WITH GRAVY

Steps:

• Trim fat caps off steaks. Rub steaks with salt, then Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Let rest for 30 minutes.
• Transfer one steak to a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Use a meat mallet to pound the steak until it is about half the original thickness and twice the original area. Repeat with remaining two steaks.
• Place 2 cups flour in a shallow bowl. Whisk buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce together in a second bowl. Combine remaining 3 cups flour, bread crumbs, baking powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, sea salt, chile seasoning, black pepper, thyme, oregano, sweet paprika, chipotle powder, cumin, sage, mustard powder, and cayenne pepper in a third, large bowl.
• Dunk each piece of steak in the plain flour, then in the egg wash, and then in the breading, making sure it gets completely coated in each step. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate for 1 hour; this is crucial and ensures the breading will adhere to the meat.
• When ready to cook, prepare gravy: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and stir until the mixture becomes paste-like and light golden brown, about 5 minutes. Gradually whisk beef broth into the flour mixture, then gradually whisk in cream, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, to let it further thicken. Keep warm as you cook the steaks.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Drop steaks into the hot oil and fry until breading is crisp and golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Serve hot steaks with gravy.