Weekly Universal Sauce Recipe #35:

Please your family tonight with this classic country dish. Chicken Fried Steak, also known as pan-fried steak or country fried steak, is made of a tenderized piece of steak (usually cube steak) that is coated with seasoned flour and then pan fried.

Don't let the name confuse you. It's steak, but called Chicken Fried Steak because of the way you prepare it-like fried chicken. Chicken Fried Steak is most often paired with gravy. We've used our secret ingredient, Shirley J Universal Sauce to make our version of the traditional peppered-milk gravy. Shirley J Universal Sauce makes gravy-making a cinch! No lumping, curdling or scorching. Make this tonight! This is comfort food at its best.

Shirley J Universal Sauce makes meals that are simple, healthy and delicious--all in minutes. Each week we feature a recipe with our secret ingredient, Universal Sauce. We hope you'll give this one a try.

Best-Ever Chicken Fried Steak
Ingredients:
4 (6-8 oz) beef cube steaks
2 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1 t. black pepper
¾ t. salt
1 ½ c. buttermilk
1 egg
1 T. hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
½ t. garlic powder
vegetable shortening for frying
1 c. Shirley J Universal Sauce
4 c. water
½ t. (variable)cracked black pepper


Directions:

Pound the steaks to about 1/4-inch thickness. Place flour in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl combine the baking powder, baking soda, pepper, salt and garlic. Stir in the buttermilk, egg, and Tabasco Sauce.

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.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan combine water and Universal Sauce whisking until blended. Heat to slow boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add desired amount of pepper. Serve over steaks and whipped potatoes.