Chicken fried steak facts for kids
Chicken fried steak smothered in cream gravy with sides of mashed potatoes, fried okra and a dinner roll
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| Course | Main course |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Region or state | West Texas/Oklahoma |
| Created by | Multiple claims |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
| Main ingredients | Tenderized cube steak, flour |
Chicken fried steak, also known as country-fried steak or CFS, is a popular American dish. It's made from a piece of beefsteak, usually a tenderized cube steak. The steak is covered in seasoned flour and then either deep-fried or pan-fried.
This dish is often linked to the Southern cooking style. It gets its name "chicken fried" because it's breaded and fried in a way that's very similar to how fried chicken is made. If it's deep-fried, it's usually called "chicken fried steak." If it's pan-fried, it's often called "country fried steak."
Chicken fried steak is similar to some European dishes. For example, it's like the Austrian dish Wiener schnitzel or the Italian cotoletta alla milanese. These dishes use tenderized veal or pork cutlets, coated and then fried.
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The Story of Chicken Fried Steak
The exact beginning of chicken fried steak isn't fully known. However, many people believe it started with German and Austrian immigrants. They came to Texas in the 1800s and brought their recipes for dishes like Wiener schnitzel with them.
The town of Lamesa in Dawson County, Texas, claims to be where chicken fried steak was invented. They even have a yearly celebration for it!
One of the earliest recipes for a dish similar to chicken fried steak appeared in a cookbook called The Virginia Housewife. This book was published in 1838 by Mary Randolph. By the late 1800s, recipes for what we now call chicken fried steak were common in many local cookbooks. The first time the name "chicken-fried steak" appeared in print was in a newspaper ad. It was in the Colorado Springs Gazette on June 19, 1914.
In 1988, chicken fried steak became one of the official state dishes of Oklahoma.
How to Make Chicken Fried Steak
Making chicken fried steak starts with a thin piece of beefsteak. This steak is made tender by pounding it, cutting it into cubes, or poking it with a fork.
Next, the steak is dipped in a liquid like egg batter or buttermilk. Then, it's covered in flour that has salt, pepper, and other spices mixed in.
- Chicken fried steak is usually deep-fried and served with a creamy white gravy.
- Country fried steak is typically fried in a skillet and served with a brown gravy.
Traditionally, people used shortening to fry the steak. Sometimes, butter or lard were used too. Today, many cooks use vegetable oil because it's often seen as a healthier choice.
If you want to make sure the breading stays on the meat, here's a tip:
- First, dip the meat in the flour mixture.
- Then, dip it in the egg or buttermilk.
- After that, dip it in the flour mixture again.
- Let it sit for about 30 minutes or more before you cook it. This helps the coating stick better.
The cuts of steak used for chicken fried steak are usually less expensive ones. These include cube steak, chuck, round steak, and sometimes flank steak.
Chicken fried steak is often served for lunch or dinner. It's usually topped with cream gravy. Common side dishes include mashed potatoes, vegetables, and biscuits or Texas toast. In the Midwest, people sometimes eat chicken fried steak for breakfast. It might come with toast and hash browns.
You can also enjoy chicken fried steak in other ways:
- As a "chicken-fried steak sandwich" on a hamburger bun with cream gravy.
- Cubed and put inside a baked potato with gravy and cheese.
Sometimes, the tenderized steak is cut into strips, breaded, and deep-fried. These are called "finger steaks" or "steak fingers." They are popular in Idaho and can be served for breakfast with eggs and toast, or with fries and cream gravy for other meals.
Different Kinds of Chicken Fried Steak
In Texas and nearby states, chicken fried steak is usually deep-fried or fried in a thick layer of oil. It's served with a traditional creamy gravy made with milk and pepper.
When it's pan-fried, it might be called "country fried steak." While some recipes use the same creamy gravy for country fried steak, it's also common to find it served with a brown gravy. This brown gravy is made from beef stock and often includes onions. This difference in gravy is often the main way to tell "chicken fried steak" and "country fried steak" apart in areas where both are served.
See also
In Spanish: Chicken fried steak para niños
