CHICKEN FRIED STEAK WITH GRAVY

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK WITH GRAVY image

Categories Beef

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups plus 3 tbsp. flour
3 eggs
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 cups milk
1 cup vegetable shortening
Four 8-oz. pieces trimmed beef top round, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness

Steps:

Put 2 cups flour into a wide, shallow dish and generously season with salt and pepper. Put eggs, cream, and ½ cup of the milk into another wide, shallow dish and beat well. Preheat oven to 200. Melt shortening in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until hot or about 360 on a candy thermometer. Meanwhile, working with one piece of meat at a time, lightly season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge beef in seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip each side into egg mixture, then dredge in flour again, shaking off excess. Fry meat in the hot fat, turning once, until dark golden brown on each side, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining meat. Discard all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add remaining flour and cook, whisking constantly, until golden, 1-2 minutes. Gradually add remaining milk, whisking constantly. Season gravy with cayenne and ½ teaspoon black pepper and cook, whisking constantly, until consistency is slightly thicker than that of heavy cream, about 1 minute. Season to taste with salt. Divide chicken fried steak between 4 plates and spoon gravy over each.