Ingredients

2 cups plus 3 tbsp. flour

2 tsp. paprika

Freshly ground black pepper and kosher salt, to taste

1 cup buttermilk

1 tsp. Tabasco, plus more to taste

1 egg

4 4-6-oz. cube steaks, pounded to 1⁄4" thickness

Canola oil, for frying

3 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cups milk

Preparation

  1. Heat oven to 200˚; put a baking sheet fitted with a rack inside. In a shallow dish, whisk together 2 cups flour, paprika, pepper, and salt. In another dish, whisk together buttermilk, 1 tsp. Tabasco, and egg. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Working with one steak at a time, dredge in flour mixture, then egg mixture, and again in flour; shake off excess. Transfer to plate.

  2. Pour oil into a 12" cast-iron skillet to a depth of 1⁄2"; heat over medium-high heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 320˚. Working in 2 batches, fry steaks, flipping once, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes. Place steaks on rack in oven to keep warm.

  3. Melt butter in a 2-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in remaining flour; cook until golden, 1-2 minutes. Whisk in milk; cook, whisking, until thick. Season with Tabasco and salt and pepper. Serve steaks with gravy.