I know this is a bit out of the ordinary for this blog. It's not very healthy, and it's fried! But, when one moves back to Texas and has access once again to some of the other good things in life, such as Chicken Fried Steak, and begins watching too much Pioneer Woman again, cravings begin to happen and thoughts such as Why haven't I made this at home yet? Luckily, my brother and sister texted me mid-day earlier this week and said they were coming over for dinner. I knew this was my chance to make this because then it would hopefully be gone in the same day.
Everyone came over, and I had asked my brother Donald to bring whatever drinks he wanted. Not only did he do that, but he also brought vanilla ice cream and chocolate chip cookie dough. Kyle came home completely surprised to a feast, and what may become a new weekly (or at least every other week) tradition. My Lolo also came over because he is currently staying with my parents; he is pictured below and is the cutest!
In other news it's been raining literally all week, everyday, and I have been loving it. For some reason it did not thunderstorm in NYC like it does in Texas, and I have been enjoying it and the cooler weather it has brought with it. Now let's just hope it stays this way and fall comes early. I'm already thinking of pumpkin season and sweater weather.
Some Links I've been loving this week:
- Loved loved loved this post on Hummingbird High on blogging and social media
- a pretty strawberry pie by Constellation Inspiration
- These quinoa stuffed bell peppers by Faring Well are so colorful and healthy!
- Wasn't sure what a grandma pie was before Cook Republic, but now I want to make one.
- Pretty much everything Alana on Fix Feast Flair makes I want to eat. Including these stunner fig tarts!
- I've been secretly making food recipe videos for the past month for Bloglovin'! Check out this Hummus Veggie Wrap, this Chocolate Chip Cookie one, or my personal favorite--the Avocado Rose Toast!
Chicken Fried Steak Fingers and Gravy (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 lb. round steak, tenderized
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper chili flakes
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- oil and butter for frying
for gravy:
- 11/2 cups milk
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. pepper
Directions: Cut tenderized round steak into 1-inch strips. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside on a plate. Whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl. In a separate dish, mix flour, more salt and pepper, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper chili flakes.
Prepare the dipping station with all three dishes side by side. Begin by dipping one steak strip into the flour, then into the egg and milk mixture, then back into the flour again. Set aside on a large plate. Repeat until all are breaded.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in 1 tbl. of butter. Fry steak strips without overcrowding the pan, about 3-5 minutes per side. Flip when steak fingers are golden brown on one side. Place on a cooling rack, and keep warm with foil or in the oven at 200 degrees F.
To make the gravy: Depending on how much grease is left in your pan, either add more or remove some so there is approximately 1/4 cup of grease in the pan. Sprinkle in 2-3 tbl. of the flour mixture into the skillet, whisking constantly until it becomes a paste. Let cook over medium-low for a minute until it is a golden brown. Pour in milk, whisking constantly. Add more milk/more flour depending on consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste!
Serve with a salad and french fries, and if you're extra naughty, some Texas Toast.
Notes: If you can't find round steak that is already tenderized, you can do so with a meat cleaver. If you don't have a meat cleaver (like me), feel free to use a rolling pin and a layer of saran wrap to pound the meat thinner. Then, pierce it with a knife. This part was really fun to me!
