Lone Star Chicken Fried Steak Food

THE BEST CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place 2 cups of flour in a shallow bowl. Stir together the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, and salt in a separate shallow bowl; stir in the buttermilk, egg, Tabasco Sauce, and garlic. Dredge each steak first in the flour, then in the batter, and again in the flour. Pat the flour onto the surface of each steak so they are completely coated with dry flour.
• Heat the shortening in a deep cast-iron skillet to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fry the steaks until evenly golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place fried steaks on a plate with paper towels to drain. Drain the fat from the skillet, reserving 1/4 cup of the liquid and as much of the solid remnants as possible.
• Return the skillet to medium-low heat with the reserved oil. Whisk the remaining flour into the oil. Scrape the bottom of the pan with a spatula to release solids into the gravy. Stir in the milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring the gravy to a simmer, cook until thick, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with kosher salt and pepper. Spoon the gravy over the steaks to serve.

THE BEST CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Liberally sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper (see Cook's Note). Put them on a rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let sit at room temperature while you make the gravy.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of the flour until combined and cook until golden and bubbling, about 1 minute. Whisk in the whole milk, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy boils. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm; it will seem loose but will thicken as it sits.
• Whisk the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, egg and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Working with 1 steak at a time, dredge in the seasoned flour, turning to coat and packing into the crevices. Shake to remove any excess and return to the rack. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
• Pour 3 tablespoons of the buttermilk mixture into the seasoned flour and work it in with your fingers; it should feel like wet sand with some clumps. (These clumps will give the steak a crispy, shaggy crust.) Dip the dredged steaks into the remaining buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Pack the moistened flour firmly onto each steak. Very gently shake off any excess and return to the rack. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
• Pour the oil into a large cast-iron skillet fitted with a deep-fry thermometer (the oil should come about halfway up the sides). Heat the oil over high heat until the thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Fry the steaks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Whisk the warm cream gravy to loosen it and serve over the chicken-fried steak.

LONE STAR CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt and pepper in pie plate.
• In another pie plate, combine eggs and milk.
• Dredge meat in flour mixture, shaking off excess flour.
• Dip steak into egg mixture and dredge again in flour.
• Heat 1/2 inch oil in a heavy skillet.
• Place steaks in skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides.
• To make gravy, remove steaks to warm oven. (I use my toaster oven for this step).
• Remove all leftover oil except for 6 T. and the brown bits.
• Add flour to skillet.
• Cook and stir until flour begins to brown.
• Add hot milk and whisk until thickened.
• Season with salt and pepper and pour over warm steaks.

LONE STAR FRIES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Peel and rinse the potatoes. Cut each potato into 4 or 5 slices lengthwise, then cut each piece into fries. Place the fries in the ice water.
• Halve the avocados and remove the pits. Dice the avocados in their shells, then squeeze the flesh into a medium bowl. Mash the avocados with the back of a fork until you reach the desired consistency for guacamole. Fold in the lime juice, Roma tomato and jalapeño. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat; line a plate with paper towels. Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned, 5 to 8 minutes, then transfer to the lined plate to drain. Lightly clean the skillet and lower the heat to medium low. Add the cheese and fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles. Cook, stirring frequently, until the cheese has melted. Fold in the chorizo and place on a very low burner until ready to use.
• Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with a few inches of oil. Heat the oil to 300 degrees F.
• Drain and rinse the potatoes under cold water for 15 to 20 seconds. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and blot with the paper towels to dry them. Line a second baking sheet with fresh paper towels.
• Fry the potatoes in 2 batches until they are slightly softened but have no color, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to the fresh paper towels to drain
• Heat the oil to 400 degrees F; line a third baking sheet with fresh paper towels. Fry the potatoes in 2 batches until golden and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on the paper towels.
• Sprinkle the seasoning salt over the fries, then toss and place on a platter.
• Top the fries with half of the queso con chorizo followed by the guacamole, sour cream, cilantro and pimentos. Transfer the remaining queso con chorizo to a serving bowl and serve alongside the fries.

LONE STAR CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK

Steps:

• 1. Trim steak and cut into 5 pieces.
• 2. Combine flour, salt and pepper.
• 3. Dredge all steak pieces in flour mixture until lightly coated.
• 4. Combine eggs and milk.
• 5. Dip steak into egg mixture and dredge again in flour.
• 6. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a heavy skillet.
• 7. Place steaks in skillet and fry until golden brown on both sides.
• 8. To make gravy, remove steaks to warm oven, retaining 6 tablespoons of drippings (or use bacon drippings).
• 9. Add flour.
• 10. Cook and stir until flour begins to brown.
• 11. Add hot milk and stir until thickened.
• 12. Season with salt and pepper to taste and pour over warm steaks.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK WITH CREAM GRAVY

Steps:

• Pound each steak between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4 inch thick. Liberally sprinkle the steaks with salt and pepper. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet.
• Whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour with the cornstarch, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce in a medium bowl.
• Working with one steak at a time, lightly dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess. Dip in the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Dredge again in the flour mixture, packing it onto the steaks and pressing firmly into crevices, and gently shake off the excess. Return the steaks to the same wire rack. (If time allows, refrigerate, uncovered, 2 to 6 hours. This rest time will ensure that the crust is extra crispy and adheres to the steak. Let the steaks stand at room temperature 30 minutes before frying.)
• Meanwhile, make the gravy. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the remaining 3 tablespoons flour until combined and cook until golden and bubbling, about 1 minute. Whisk in the milk, heavy cream, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, whisking frequently, until the gravy boils. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, whisking occasionally, until the gravy thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and keep warm. (Cream gravy will seem very loose, but it will thicken as it sits.)
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat with enough oil to come halfway up the sides. Fit the skillet with a deep-fry thermometer then heat over high heat until the oil registers 375 degrees F. Fry the steaks in 2 batches until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Whisk the warm cream gravy to loosen and serve over the chicken-fried steaks.

TEXAS CHICKEN FRIED STEAK AND GRAVY

Steps:

• Put the flour in a shallow bowl.
• In another, stir together the salt, pepper, soda, baking powder, egg, buttermilk, Tabasco, and garlic.
• Dredge each steak in flour, then buttermilk mixture, and coat again in the flour.
• Using a cast iron skillet or dutch oven, pour in 4 inches of oil and heat to medium high.
• When the oil is ready, fry the steaks about 4 minutes on each side, or until browned.
• Remove to a platter lined with paper towels.
• Pour off all but 6 tbs of the oil and add 6 tbs flour (I use the dredging flour) and make a roux.
• Slowly add the milk, stirring constantly.
• Season with salt and pepper and serve over the chicken fried steaks.

CHICKEN-FRIED STEAK (CHICKEN WITH CREAMY GRAVY)

Steps:

• Season the chicken breasts with black pepper.
• In a shallow dish combine crushed cracker crumbs with flour 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using) and baking powder.
• In another shallow dish whisk together eggs with 3/4 milk.
• Dredge the chicken breasts in the cracker mixture then dip in the egg/milk mixture, then dredge AGAIN in the cracker mixture.
• Pour the oil into a large skillet and heat to 360 degrees F.
• Fry the breasts in hot oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown; remove to a wire rack and cover lightly with foil.
• Carefully drain oil but reserve the browned bits in the bottom of the skillet along with a couple tablespoons of the oil.
• In a bowl mix together 4 cups half and half cream, 1/4 cup flour 1 teaspoon seasoned salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper; whisk until combined, then add to the reserved drippings in the skillet, cook whisking constantly over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes or until thickened.
• Serve the creamed gravy with the breasts.