by Sheila Rae Watson

Created on: September 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2008

Country Fried Steak.

This is a method of cooking delicious, tender beef steaks along with onions and gravy. A Country Fried Steak first recieves a crunchy, crisp crust which is then introduced to some pungent sliced onions; as if that isn't enough, this steak and its friends are then doused with thick, rich pan gravy and baked to perfection! If you have never tried making a pan of Country Fried Steak you are missing one of life's true pleasures!

An old family favorite, this recipe creates good southern-style home cooking, at it's best. Across the country, families sit down to this hearty meal served with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, hot biscuits and strawberry shortcake for dessert, nothing could be better!

-Country Fried Steak

4-6 oz. pieces of round steak, tenderized

2 tbsp. seasoned salt, divided

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups buttermilk

2 large Vidalia onions, sliced

2 cups Half and half

1 tbsp. seasoned salt

1/2 cup flour

2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. black pepper

3-4 tsp. hot sauce

Season tenderized steaks with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350oF. Set up a dredging station using 2 pie plates, pour buttermilk and a few shakes (2 tsp.) hot sauce into one, add the 2 cups flour and seasoned salt to the other, mix and reserve.

Place the seasoned steaks into the flour, then dredge into the buttermilk. Repeat. Pressing the meat into flour mixture with fingers. Shake off loose flour, return to the buttermilk, repeat dredging. Place on a platter or tray and let sit 10 minutes to adhere breading.

In a heavy large skillet, brown steaks on both sides. Place steaks into a baking pan.

Break onion slices into rings, arrange over top steaks in pan. Cover pan with foil, reserve.

In the skillet used for browning steaks, drain off all but 1/4 cup of drippings. Add 1/2 cup flour, combine with drippings. Bring heat to high and cook mixture for 2 minutes, stirring.

Reduce heat to medium, add half and half, whisk to combine and bring to boil. If gravy is too thick, add enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Remove from heat, add salt and pepper to taste and 2 tsp. hot sauce. Whisk to combine.

Pour gravy over steaks, shake pan to settle gravy into steaks. Bake for 20 minutes.

To serve:

Remove steaks to a serving platter, pulling out most of the onions, place all onto a large deep platter. Pour some of the gravy from baking pan over steaks. Pour remaining gravy into a serving bowl.

Everyone walks away from the table satisfied when you have served Country Fried Steak and all the trimmings! Now, that's real down home, country cooking!

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