Southern Living'S Country Fried Steak - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
4 (4 ounce) cube steaks
38 saltine crackers, crushed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 3/4 cups milk
2 eggs
3 1/2 cups peanut oil
chopped fresh parsley, to garnish

Preparation

sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over steaks.
Set aside.
combinecracker crumbs, 1 cup flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and red pepper.
whisk together 3/4 cup milk and eggs.
Dredge steaks in cracker crumb mixture; dip in milk mixture, and dredge in cracker mixture again.
POUR oil into a 12-inch skillet;heat to 360 degrees.
Do not use a nonstick skillet.
I like to use a cast iron skillet for this.
Fry steaks 10 minutes.
Turn and fry 4 to 5 more minutes or until golden brown.
Remove to a wire rack on a jellyroll pan.
Keep steaks warm in a 225 degree oven.
Carefully drain hot oil, reserving cooked bits and 1 tablespoon drippings in skillet.
whisk together remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, and 4 cups milk.
Pour mixture into reserved drippings in skillet; cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, 10 to 12 minutes, or until thickened.
Serve gravy with steaks and mashed potatoes.
Sprinkle with parsley, if desired.