Fried Round Steak Is Comfort Food

Fried Round Steak Is Comfort Food.

I know what you are thinking…

She can’t be serious, can she?… in this day of healthy eating???!

I mean is she really taking a round steak and frying it?

Sigh!

My dear readers, I know I am most likely bursting your healthy eating bubble, but I grew up eating comfort food, which included fried round steak.

The price was usually affordable although it was a little more expensive than hamburger or ground beef, but my mother made this at least once a week and after I got married, I made it too.

These days the price is quite a bit higher, but the Captain and I still enjoy it from time to time.

Can I tell you how good this is?

This post will only take a minute because I want to share my comfort food on the quick AND simple side.

Once in a while I crave this and make it for the Captain and I…and this meal can be on the table in less than 30 minutes..

I buy a round steak ,which is usually cut thinner than a rib eye or other kinds of steak.

Round or eye of round steak is what it is called.

Now I admit that I rarely see a whole round of steak at my grocer these days, but you will find smaller cuts of round steak.

If you are able to find the large round of steak, it can be cut into four pieces depending on how large the “slice” is.

You might have to cut off pieces of fat around the edges, but if you find it already cut in pieces, the excess fat has been trimmed off.

I first use my meat pounder and give the large round of steak a few hits to tenderize the steaks as it can sometimes be tough when cooked.

Then I cut the round into individual pieces.

Now, let me stop right here to say this.

Some people like to use what they call cube steaks or minute steaks, because they have already been tenderized…but by whatever name you call it…it is still round steak.

The first thing I do is salt and pepper the pieces generously, then coat them in flour. 

I use a canola oil or any of your preferred oil in a cast iron skillet and coat the bottom (don’t be stingy with the oil, I know, I know what you are thinking) 

Heat the oil until it begins to sizzle when you place the handle of a wooden spoon in it to test.

Place the round steak into the skillet and it will brown quickly….about two minutes and the sides will start sizzling and browning.

Turn it over and brown the other side for about a minute or two and your steak should be ready to eat. (do not over cook)

Place your round steaks on a paper towel to drain.

Bingo! Dinner is ready.

Well, almost ready.

Let’s make Fried Round Steak, Mashed Potatoes with Milk gravy.

Do you see all the beautiful drippings in your skillet?

That is the beginning of your milk gravy.

Yummy!

Lower the heat to a medium heat. Remove all but about two tablespoons of the oil in your pan and add about 2 tablespoons of flour and begin stirring the mixture so it does not burn.

I add flour a little at a time. 

You want a kind of paste as the oil absorbs the flour. 

Stir it constantly with a whisk so that the flour will brown a bit, but not burn.

The drippings in the skillet will also have what I call crispy bits left over from the flour and believe me, you want these in your gravy.

My family calls the gravy “trash” gravy because of the small bits in the bottom of the skillet.

Talk about flavor-town!

When the “roux” is nice and golden, pour in the milk.

Keep whisking.

Depending on how much gravy you are making, will determine how much milk to add. Start with a cup and a half of milk. 

You can season with salt and pepper at the “roux stage” OR after adding the milk.

Stir as the gravy comes to a slight boil. You may have to add more milk at this point. It is a judgement call. Keep stirring until the gravy is the thickness and consistency you desire.  (Remember that as the gravy cools, it will thicken more)

Don’t worry if the gravy gets too thick…just add more milk to thin it to your liking.

Serve over mashed potatoes or fried potatoes.

Add a garden salad for health reasons of course.

Sooooooo good, quick and easy.

Fried round steak is comfort food, I LOVE it.

I know, I know…it is time to do a few stomach crunches in penance.

But this is oh so good, and it is worth it.

Hugs and Blessings.

 

 

Ecclesiastes 9:7 “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”