Golden Fried Chicken Steak

1. Prepare the Steaks

• Choosing Your Meat: Opt for fillet tail or sirloin steaks, about 200g each. Trim away any visible fat for a cleaner taste.
• Flattening the Steaks:
  • Tools Needed: Use a rolling pin or a meat mallet.
  • How to Do It: Place each steak between two sheets of plastic wrap or parchment paper to minimize mess. Gently pound the steak until it’s about half its original thickness. This helps ensure tenderness and even cooking.

2. Make the Egg Mixture

• Ingredients:
  • In a bowl, combine 2 beaten eggs with ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper for a kick.
• Mixing:
  • Whisk until frothy, which helps the egg adhere better to the steak.

3. Combine the Spice Mix

• Gather Ingredients:
  • 4 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tbsp cornflour
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • A good pinch of salt
• Mixing:
  • Combine all the dry ingredients in a shallow dish. Mix well to ensure an even distribution of spices.

4. Coat the Steaks

• Dipping Process:
  • First Dip: Dip each flattened steak into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
  • Second Dip: Transfer the steak to the spice mix, pressing gently to coat well.
  • Double-Dipping Tip: For extra crunch, dip the steak back into the egg, then again into the spice mix. This creates a thicker coating.

5. Fry the Steaks

• Heating the Oil:
  • Pour vegetable oil into a large non-stick frying pan to about ½ cm deep. Heat over medium-high until shimmering.
  • Test the Oil: Drop a small bit of the spice mix into the oil; if it sizzles immediately, it’s ready.
• Cooking the Steaks:
  • Carefully place the coated steaks in the hot oil, leaving space between each one.
  • Timing: Fry for 2 minutes until golden brown, then flip and fry for another 2 minutes.
  • Keep Warm: After cooking, transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm.

6. Make the Sauce (Optional)

• Adjusting the Oil:

  • Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of oil from the pan to retain flavor.

• Creating the Roux:

  • Add 1 tablespoon of flour to the remaining oil. Stir continuously for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned.

• Adding Flavor:

  • Crumble in 1 chicken stock cube, mixing until dissolved.

7. Add Milk

• Creating the Creamy Sauce:
  • Gradually pour in 275ml of milk while whisking to prevent lumps.
  • Simmering: Reduce heat to medium-low and let it simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring often to thicken.

8. Final Touches

• Seasoning the Sauce:
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Add fresh thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
• Optional Enhancements:
  • For added richness, consider stirring in a splash of heavy cream or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.

9. Serve

• Plating:
  • Serve the chicken-fried steak drizzled with the creamy sauce. Pair with steamed greens and corn on the cob for a complete meal.
• Presentation Tips:
  • Garnish with additional thyme or paprika to make the dish visually appealing. Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh twist.

10. Enjoy!

• Sit down and savor your delicious Golden Fried Chicken Steak! Enjoy the crispy, flavorful coating and the creamy sauce for a comforting meal. Pair it with your favorite sides for an indulgent dining experience.