Chicken Fried Steak Cuban Style Recipe: A Fusion Delight

Chicken Fried Steak Cuban Style is a delicious fusion of Southern comfort food and vibrant Cuban flavors. This unique recipe combines the traditional elements of chicken-fried steak with a Cuban twist, creating a mouthwatering dish that will delight your taste buds. In this article, we’ll explore the origins of chicken-fried steak, provide a detailed recipe, and offer tips and variations to help you make the best Chicken Fried Steak Cuban Style at home.

Introduction

Chicken-fried steak is a beloved dish with deep roots in Southern cuisine. Despite its name, chicken-fried steak is not made with chicken but with beef, typically a tenderized cut like cube steak. The dish gets its name from the cooking method, which involves breading and frying the steak in a manner similar to fried chicken. This classic comfort food is known for its crispy coating and tender meat, often served with creamy gravy.

Cuban cuisine, on the other hand, is renowned for its bold flavors and use of spices, citrus, and tropical ingredients. By infusing chicken-fried steak with Cuban influences, we create a delightful fusion that brings a new level of excitement to this traditional dish.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 4 cube steaks (about 1/2 inch thick)
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Vegetable oil for frying

Cuban Marinade

• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cuban-Style Gravy

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Steaks

1. In a shallow dish, combine the lime juice, orange juice, minced garlic, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to create the Cuban marinade.
2. Place the cube steaks in the marinade, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing the flavors to infuse into the meat.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

1. In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk with hot sauce (if using).
2. In another shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3: Bread the Steaks

1. Remove the steaks from the marinade and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Dip each steak into the buttermilk mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
3. Dredge the steak in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing the flour onto the steak to ensure a good coating. Repeat the buttermilk and flour coating process for a thicker crust.

Step 4: Fry the Steaks

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be about 1/2 inch deep.
2. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded steaks to the skillet, frying them in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
3. Cook each steak for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy. Remove the steaks from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 5: Make the Cuban-Style Gravy

1. In the same skillet, remove excess oil, leaving about 2 tablespoons of oil and browned bits.
2. Add butter to the skillet and melt it over medium heat.
3. Stir in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to form a roux.
4. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
5. Add heavy cream and ground cumin, continuing to whisk until the gravy thickens.
6. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 6: Serve

1. Plate the chicken-fried steaks and generously drizzle them with the Cuban-style gravy.
2. Garnish with fresh herbs or citrus slices if desired.
3. Serve the dish hot, alongside classic Cuban sides like black beans, rice, or plantains for a complete meal.

Tips and Variations

Cooking Tips

• Tenderize the Meat: For an even more tender steak, use a meat mallet to further tenderize the cube steaks before marinating.
• Oil Temperature: Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy crust. Test the oil by dropping a small piece of bread into it; if it sizzles and browns quickly, the oil is ready.

Variations

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce according to your spice preference.
• Citrus Zest: Add lime or orange zest to the breading mixture for an extra citrusy kick.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free flour for the breading and cornstarch for the gravy to make this dish gluten-free.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

• Calories: 600
• Protein: 35g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fat: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g

Chicken Fried Steak Cuban Style is a delightful dish that combines the best of Southern comfort food and Cuban flavors. This recipe offers a unique twist on a classic favorite, making it perfect for those looking to try something new and exciting in the kitchen. The combination of tender beef, crispy coating, and flavorful Cuban-style gravy is sure to impress family and friends.

We hope you enjoy making this recipe as much as we enjoyed sharing it with you. Don’t forget to explore other delicious recipes on EasyCrispyRecipes.com and share your experiences with us in the comments section below. If you loved this dish, share it on social media and subscribe to our newsletter for more mouthwatering recipes and cooking tips. Happy cooking