Country Fried Steaks

  1 cup vegetable oil

    1 pound round steak, cut into 4 (4-ounce) pieces

    Salt

    Freshly ground black pepper

    1 egg, beaten

    3 cups milk

    1/4 cup buttermilk

    1 1/2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Heat the oil in a heavy 9-inch cast iron skillet, to 360 degrees F. Using a meat mallet, pound out the steak. Season the steak with salt and pepper. Combine the egg with 3 the buttermilk. Put 1 1/2 cups of the flour in a shallow pan and season with salt and pepper. Dredge the steaks in the flour, coating each piece evenly and tapping off any excess. Drip the steak in the egg wash, coating it completely and letting the excess drip off. Dredge again in the flour, shaking off any excess. Fry the steaks in the hot oil, until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.

Carefully pour off the oil, leaving behind about 1/4 cup of the oil along with the brown bits. Over medium heat, add the remaining 3 tablespoons flour and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking constantly. Add the remaining 3 cups milk, 1/2 cup at a time, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Season with salt and plenty of pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, whisking constantly. The gravy should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If it is too thick, add a little water to thin it.

Add the steaks back to the gravy and turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Let cook on low for at least one hour, the longer the better. Check often adding milk or water if needed. After cooking low and slow taste and add any needed seasoning.  Serve the fried steak and gravy with mashed potatoes and green beans and Homemade biscuits.