Crispy Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

Ingredients

- 4 servings +

• 4 whole (about 1.5 lbs) beef cube steaks, pounded to 1/3-inch thickness, patted dry
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, for dredging
• 1 cup buttermilk, cold
• 2 large eggs, whisked with buttermilk
• 1 tbsp kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, divided
• 1 tbsp garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika, seasoning blend for flour
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper, for subtle Southern kick
• 1 ½ cups vegetable oil or peanut oil, for shallow frying
• 3 tbsp reserved pan frying oil/drippings, for country gravy
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, for country gravy roux
• 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half, room temperature, for gravy
• 1 tsp coarsely cracked black pepper, for signature country gravy