When my oldest daughter was 4 we lived in Washington, DC (yes, this was 26 years ago). When her birthday came along I asked her what she wanted to eat for her special dinner and she answered, chicken fried steak.
Huh? I had never heard of it before—and this was before the Internet, so I couldn't Google it or anything.
So I just said "OK, Honey!" and went out and got some good old Chinese spare ribs. She thought it was great and that was the last I thought about it for a good 10 years. Then I went to Texas on business, and imagine my surprise when I saw Chicken Fried Steak on a menu (Texas claims to be the dish's birthplace). It was a real thing!
Of course I ordered it and, yes, it was a very good thing. Since then, whenever either of us sees it on a menu, we order it and enjoy it (sparingly, of course; it's not the healthiest thing you can eat!). But I had never ventured into making it until recently.
I was in Austin, Texas, for the South by Southwest Eco Conference and was hanging out with Tom Phillpot, a native Texan. We were searching for a good restaurant within walking distance (not too many choices) and we got to talking about chicken fried steak (CFS).
"That's it," I said, "I'm making it as soon as I get home." For three reasons:
1. Maya and her husband Tony were coming for the weekend, so I could finally make it for her even though it wasn't her birthday.
2. If I make it myself I could use all organic ingredients.
3. It was about time I figured it out.
And so I did. And it was good. And the leftovers were consumed at breakfast the next morning. It wasn't too hard to make, but it was a bit of a production. I'd do it again when the craving strikes.
According to Tom, it must be served with mashed potatoes and green beans.
What You Need
- 6 tenderloin filets
- Salt and pepper
- olive oil (lots)
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- salt and black pepper
- CHICKEN FRIED STEAK GRAVY:
- 1 cup pan drippings
- 1/2 cup flour (for thickening)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- salt, and pepper to taste
How to Make It