Applestone in the Kitchen: Country Fried Steak

We see all of your gorgeous loaves of bread and your braised hunks of meat. We love them. But anyone else in the mood for something fast and flavorful? Like, say, this country fried steak? All you need is a thin cut of steak, we used flap. Then you bread it and fry it. That's it. No waiting 5 hours to eat this recipe. We say this steak serves three people, but it's up to you if you want to share it. Also, if you want to eat it standing up and straight from the pan, go for it.  

Country Fried Steak

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

1 whole flap steak, cut into 3 pieces (any thin cut will work)

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons pepper, preferably cracked

1 tablespoon smoked paprika (optional if you have none available)

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 egg

1 ½ cup buttermilk (or milk)

Hot sauce

½ cup cooking oil

Instructions

1. Combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, and onion powders in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, egg, and a few dashes of hot sauce together.

2. Heat cooking oil in a large skillet. To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a little bit of the flour mix into the oil. It should sizzle.

3. Coat steak in flour mixture, then dip in the milk mixture, and back into the flour. Shake off excess flour, then gently place the steak in the hot oil. Cook about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. If your pan is big enough you might be able to cook several pieces of steak at once. Repeat with the remaining pieces.

4. Put cooked steak on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

5. Top with sausage gravy if you have some and serve.

STORAGE TIP:

There's no way you're going to have leftovers of country-fried steak. If somehow you do, eat them! 

Beef Flap Steak