Cactus Chicken Fried Steak 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.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK & GRAVY

Steps:

• Place 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk eggs and 1/2 cup milk until blended. Sprinkle steaks with 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Dip in flour to coat both sides; shake off excess. Dip in egg mixture, then again in flour., In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1/4 in. of oil over medium heat. Add steaks; cook until golden brown and a thermometer reads 160°, 4-6 minutes on each side. Remove from pan; drain on paper towels. Keep warm., Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from pan. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until smooth; cook and stir over medium heat until golden brown, 3-4 minutes. Gradually whisk in water and remaining milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Serve with steaks.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Cut the beef into 4 equal pieces. Put the pieces between plastic wrap and pound out, with the textured side of a meat mallet, to 1/4-inch thick. Put the meat into a shallow glass or plastic dish, cover with the buttermilk, turning to coat. Set aside while you prepare the dredging station.
• In a large baking dish, add the flour and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In a second dish, whisk eggs and milk together. In the third dish, combine the crushed crackers and the panko.
• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Fit a baking sheet with a rack.
• Remove the steaks from the buttermilk, then dip each piece in the flour to coat, shaking off the excess flour. Next, coat them in the egg, then dip them in the cracker and panko mixture, lightly pressing the crumbs into the steak. Set the steaks set aside to rest for 10 minutes.
• Heat the canola oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. When oil is shimmering, add the steaks, 1 at a time, and cook for 3 minutes on first side, 2 to 3 minutes on second side, or until cooked through. Repeat with remaining steaks. As you finish, blot the excess oil on a paper towel, then transfer the steaks to a baking sheet, and keep warm in a low oven.
• Arrange the steaks on a serving platter and serve with Drunken Pork Gravy.
• In a small bowl, combine the pork, salt and black pepper, to taste, the white pepper and red chili flakes. Heat a medium nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat. Add the pork and cook, breaking up the pork as it browns.
• Once the pork is cooked through, add the onions and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer. Deglaze with the wine, and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the Dijon and sprinkle in the flour. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes to cook out the raw flavor of the flour.
• Add 1 cup of the milk and stir until combined. Add the remaining milk and mix until it's just starting to thicken. Stir in the cream and heat through. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, to taste, if needed. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Slice the steak into 4 pieces. Place each piece between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound thin, about 1/4-inch thick. Place the pieces in a shallow bowl and pour over 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon hot sauce, and thyme leaves; season with salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• In a shallow plate, season 2 cups flour with cumin, salt, and pepper. In another shallow plate lightly beat the eggs and add 1 cup buttermilk and 1 teaspoon hot sauce; season with salt and pepper. Remove the steaks from the marinade and shake off the excess buttermilk. Dredge in the flour, dip into the beaten egg mixture, and dredge again in the seasoned flour; set on plate to rest for a few minutes while you cook the bacon.
• Slice the bacon into 1-inch pieces and place them into a large cold skillet. Set the skillet over medium heat and cook until the bacon is crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels and reserve the fat in the skillet. Cook the steaks in the bacon fat over medium heat until they are golden brown on each side, about 10 minutes; set aside and keep warm.
• Drain off all but about 2 tablespoons of the fat from the pan. Add 2 tablespoons flour and cook for about 1 minute breaking up any lumps. Slowly pour in the remaining cup of buttermilk stirring constantly to break up lumps. Cook for 5 minutes until thickened; season with salt and pepper and stir in the parsley. Place the steaks on plates and top with the gravy; garnish with bacon.

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK CUBAN STYLE

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs with the oregano, cumin, and salt and pepper. Beat eggs in another shallow dish. Dip each steak in beaten eggs, and then in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure to cover each steak well with the breadcrumb mixture.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat 1inch oil over medium high heat.
• Place the steaks in the oil when it's hot (so that the breading will not stick to the pan). Cook steaks, turning once, until brown for well done and golden brown for medium. Serve with lemon slices.

CACTUS CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Add the Jalapeno seasoning salt to the flour and mix well.
• Dip each steak into the seasoned flour, then dip into the egg wash, (mix the eggs and water in a separate bowl for the egg wash), and dip the meat back into the seasoned flour, coating each steak well.
• Heat the vegetable oil to about 350 degrees F. in a large skillet.
• Oil should be deep enough to cover the steaks.
• Fry the coated steaks until golden brown, then drain them on paper towels and put on a heated platter that is tented with foil.
• Pour off all but 2 tbls of the oil and the drippings.
• Add 3 Tbls of the leftover seasoned flour.
• Mix well and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the oil and flour are golden brown.
• Remove from the heat and add the milk and chicken bouillon or chicken base.
• Return to the heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens.
• Serve spooned over the steaks.