Growing up in the Midwest, my wife loves country fried steak and it is an occasional craving in my house. I make mine slightly different than Diane used too. I will leave her recipe linked here. Changing the oil out for Crisco significantly boosts the health score on Samsungfood (Formally Whisk). For the majority of the nation you will want the extra breading and flavor of this version. Both recipes are good for tight budgets. Cube steak is not expensive and still makes full bellies without needing to sacrifice flavor.
Remember, it doesn't have to look good, it just has to remind you of your grandmother.
Combine all dry ingredients into a pie pan or other shallow dish, this is the only time at which it is acceptable to sift the flour. Your adding the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and every other spice according to your pallet in a dry pie pan and mix those around. I like to unevenly distribute the spices such that the spices aren't hiding from the steak at the bottom of the flour.
In a large-ish bowl combine Eggs and milk and stir together with a fork until a uniform slightly yellowish color.
With one steak on a cutting board, grab grandmas mid-evil mace (uhrm), I mean the meat tenderizer and whack the steak flat until its about 1/4 - 1/8 inch thick. Continue beating all of your meat until all steaks are flat.
Immediately after beating your meat, put it in the flour mixture. It would be tempting to get your meat wet after its beating, but don't. The first flour helps grab more egg wash and subsequently a thicker breading. Coat both sides of the steak with flour.
Put the dry flour steak into the egg wash. Get egg on both sides of the steak. Usually one deep thrust is enough to coat your entire meat.
Pull out of the egg wash and go straight back to the dry flour. Flop it around on both sides to ensure even coverage.
You should have a shallow pool of Crisco on the bottom of a frying pan. Extra points if you use the cast iron skillet. Shallow fry both sides of the steak in the hot Crisco until dark golden brown. Lifting an edge to check the color is ok, its not a pancake.
This part is going to build your intuitive cooking skills.
Pour off most of the Crisco, leaving about a tablespoon in the pan. This is a good time to mention the grease jar. You will want to save that grease for things like bacon, green beans, and any other thing you may be frying this week. Add the onions and some of the leftover flour mixture to the pan. Stir and fry over medium heat until the flour is golden brown and the onions are translucent.
Both Flour and onions into the oil. The onions will turn translucent at about the same time a rue sets up. I hate rues, You can always add more flour so start with a small spoon full. If you add too much flour dash in some water real quick. Keep stirring. DON'T STOP STIRRING. If the flour browns before the onions wilt your heat is too hot move the pan half off the element. You need three hands, Good luck. Once the onions are good, build up the gravy volume by alternating water and flour. Now is also a good time for one of those dried beef stock cubes grandma has laying in the back of the cabinet.
Serving Size 1 steak
Servings 6
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.