Now You’re Talkin’ Texan

My late mother-in-law, a good ol’ Texas girl, taught me two important things. First: You can always tell a Texan; you just can’t tell him much. Second: Texas food may not be the most healthful around, but it sure does taste good.

You can probably put a good, rich homemade gravy on an old shoe and make it almost edible, but put it on chicken-fried steak and mashed potatoes, and you have a feast. It’s not low fat or low calorie, but it is Texan. Throw in a side of peas if you want something green.

And what the heck, finish the meal with a piece of pecan or apple pie from your favorite bakery. After all, you only live once. I think.

Menu

Chicken-Fried Steak With Country Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Green Peas

Pecan or Apple Pie

Chicken-Fried Steak With Country Gravy

Active Work Time: 15 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 30 minutes

1 pound skirt steak

Salt, pepper

2 eggs, beaten

3 tablespoons water

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup bread crumbs

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup milk

* Cut skirt steak into 4 pieces. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

* Beat eggs and water together in bowl and set aside. Place 1/4 cup flour on plate or wax paper. Heat oil and 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium heat.

* Dredge each piece of steak in flour, then dip into eggs and coat with bread crumbs. Fry steaks in hot skillet until golden brown on outside and medium inside, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove steaks and keep warm.

* Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter and remaining 1 tablespoon flour to skillet. Cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add milk and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

* Serve gravy over steaks and Mashed Potatoes.

4 servings. Each serving: 362 calories; 348 mg sodium; 169 mg cholesterol; 23 grams fat; 13 grams carbohydrates; 24 grams protein; 0.04 gram fiber.

Mashed Potatoes

Active Work Time: 10 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

3 baking potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch dice

Salt

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons cream or half and half

* Bring potatoes and salted water to cover to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until potatoes are very tender, about 15 minutes. Drain. Add butter and cream, and mash or beat until smooth.

4 servings. Each serving: 165 calories; 171 mg sodium; 31 mg cholesterol; 11 grams fat; 16 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.37 gram fiber.

Ingredients

Staples

Bread crumbs

Butter

Cream or half and half

Eggs

Flour

Milk

Oil

Frozen peas

Pepper

Baking potatoes

Salt

Shopping List

1 pound skirt steak

1 pecan or apple pie

Game Plan

30 minutes before: Peel and dice potatoes and begin cooking.

25 minutes before: Bread skirt steaks in flour, eggs and bread crumbs.

20 minutes before: Fry steaks and keep warm.

10 minutes before: Drain potatoes and set aside. Cook frozen peas.

7 minutes before: Make gravy and keep warm.

3 minutes before: Mash potatoes. Serve steaks with gravy and mashed potatoes.

After main course: Serve pecan or apple pie.