I prepared these steaks for the first time while still cooking in my Lake Jackson kitchen.  I remember it was this time of the year because the boys were home during the day, enjoying their Christmas break from school.

When supper is ready at our house, the outside world ceases to exist — the television is turned off, video and computer games are paused, my husband’s book is set aside — and so it was that day.  We put individual interests aside to gather around our everyday kitchen table .  And though we didn’t know it at the time, we sat down to what I now know as the best chicken fry I’ve ever tasted —  including all those wonderful versions encountered over the years at various mom and pop restaurants.

The meal has become one of our favorite everyday recipes.  The mother of this recipe originates from one of my Junior League cookbooks; but like any good recipe, adaptions are born out of years of preparing it.   It’s  one of those recipes easy to make but good enough to serve company.  Three years ago I made it for Christmas dinner at my folks.  And two years ago I made it for my mother-in-law’s January 2nd birthday party.  Making it for a crowd requires a little more orchestration, but it’s worth the effort.

Of course, like anything fried with gravy, this meal is not on the top of a heart-healthy list.  But it is Southern comfort food at its absolute best.  And sometimes it’s good to splurge, when we can afford to do so.

From my life to yours.

Chicken Fry Steak

Serves 4        30 minutes, start to finish

4 cube steaks — 6 to 8 ounces each

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 cup buttermilk

Dash of Tabasco Sauce

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

On large plate or pie plate, mix flour with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.  In bowl, mix buttermilk with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and Tabasco Sauce.  Flour steak  on both sides, dip in buttermilk, and flour steak again.  Set aside on wax paper until ready to fry.  Repeat until all steak is coated.  (Note: if steaks are large, I cut them in half so that they are easy to turn when frying.)

Cooking:

Heat 1/2 cup canola oil in large skillet, over medium to medium-high heat.  When oil is hot, carefully add steak.  Cook approximately 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.  Remove to plate.

Gravy

Carefully remove all but 3 Tbsp on leftover oil from pan.  Leave in flour drippings.  Gradually stir in 5 Tbsp of flour into oil, letting it cook and bubble for a minute.

Add 1 1/2 cups of milk and 3/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Cook until thickened, stirring constantly.  (You may wish to add extra milk for thinner gravy.) Pour into bowl for serving.