Published: May 12, 2008 04:24 pm         

Drucilla's Little Helpers: Country fried steak

My recipe today is one that I have used for years and sometimes I get questions about cooking something and it isn't a recipe but just some how-to things. The country fried steak is one of those recipes that has some how-to tips. You may already cook it like this. It sure is good.

Country Fried Steak

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 cups water

4 4-ounce cube steaks

vegetable oil for frying

Prepare the steaks at least a couple of hours before you plan to serve this meal. Sift the flour, salt and pepper together into a large shallow bowl. Use your hand to press the steaks firmly on each cube steak on a hard surface to flatten it out a bit. You don't want the steaks too thick. Dredge each steak, one at a time, first in water and then in the flour. Repeat one more time so that each steak is coated in flour twice. After all steaks are coated, place them on waxed paper and put them in the freezer for an hour or so until they are solid. The flour coating won't come off when frying the steaks. About 10 minutes before you are ready to cook the steaks, prepare the gravy.

Country Gravy

1 1/2 tablespoons ground beef

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken stock

2 cups whole milk

1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

Brown the ground beef in a small frying pan. Crumble the meat into tiny pieces as you cook it. Transfer the meat to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup flour and stir it in with the ground beef. Add remaining ingredients for the gravy and bring to a boil, stirring often. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until thick. Reduce the heat to low to keep the gravy warm while the steaks are being cooked. Heat oil in a frying pan or deep fryer over medium/high heat to 350 degrees. When oil is hot, drop the steaks in one at a time. Fry for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towel. Serve with gravy poured over steaks or with a side of mashed potatoes.

I have a question for you today. If you graduated from Monterey High School in 1964 or were in our class, could you send me your e-mail address? We are planning another get-together and would like to get in touch.

Before I leave you today, I would like to tell you about a concert in the Dogwood Park in Cookeville. It is located behind the Putnam County Library. It will be presented by the Stevens Street Baptist Church Choir, Orchestra and Hallelu Movement team on Sunday afternoon, May 18, at 5 p.m. In case of rain it will be moved to the Cookeville Drama Center.

Any questions or recipes to share, you may call me at (931) 839-2313 or e-mail me at drucilla1@frontiernet.net. Have a blessed week.