Southern Favorite: Chicken Fried Steak

INGREDIENTS

* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon pepper
* 4 (4 ounce) cube steaks
* 38 saltine crackers, crushed
* 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 2 teaspoons salt, divided
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
* 4 3/4 cups milk
* 2 eggs
* 3 1/2 cups peanut oil
* Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

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DIRECTIONS

1. SPRINKLE salt and pepper evenly over steaks. Set aside.

2. COMBINE cracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper.

3. WHISK together 3/4 cup milk and eggs. Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.

4. 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 oven. Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.

5. 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. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.