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spring hill ranch's new mexico style fried steak

WileyP avatar
Recipe by
Wiley P
@WileyP
Sierra Vista, AZ

I'm sure all of you are familiar with the Southern comfort foods known as Chicken Fried Steak and Country Fried Steak. Well, unbeknownst to most people, the Land of Enchantment has a native dish that is similar in comfort value, but way, way more exciting in flavor profile. Welcome to the New Mexico-Style Fried Steak!

yield 4 serving(s)
prep time 25 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Pan Fry

Ingredients For spring hill ranch's new mexico style fried steak

  • FOR THE STEAKS
  • 2+ lb
    bottom round, sirloin or cube steaks
  • 1 1/2 c
    all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp
    kosher salt plus more for sprinkling in step 1
  • 1 tsp
    freshly coarse ground black pepper plus more for sprinkling in step 1
  • 1 tsp
    ground cumin (freshly ground cumin seeds are best)
  • 1 tsp
    (heaping) dried mexican oregano, measured and then crushed in the palm of your hand
  • 1 tsp
    chipotle powder (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne)
  • 2 lg
    eggs
  • 1/2 c
    whole milk
  • lard, peanut or vegetable oil for frying
  • 4 oz
    (1 cup) grated mild cheddar cheese
  • 4 oz
    (1 cup) grated monterey jack cheese
  • 16-20
    jalapeño slices for garnish (jarred slices are okay)
  • FOR THE RED CHILE GRAVY
  • 1/4 c
    pan drippings, lard, oil or bacon drippings
  • 1/4 c
    diced white or yellow onion
  • 2 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 1/4 c
    reserved flour mixture or all purpose flour
  • 2 c
    low sodium beef broth
  • 3 Tbsp
    chili powder (mild, medium or hot - your choice)
  • 2 tsp
    ground cumin
  • 1 tsp
    dried mexican oregano
  • 1 tsp
    freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp
    apple cider vinegar (or juice from the pickled jalapeño jar)
  • additional salt if needed
  • FOR SERVING
  • refried beans
  • mexican rice
  • warmed flour tortillas

How To Make spring hill ranch's new mexico style fried steak

  • 1
    To make the chicken fried steak: Cut the steak into 4 evenly sized pieces. Pound each piece with a meat tenderizer to about a 1/4-inch thickness and almost doubled in surface area. Lightly season the steaks with salt and pepper.
  • 2
    In a pie pan or other shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, cumin, oregano, and chipotle powder. In another similar bowl wide enough to accommodate the steaks, beat the egg and milk. Coat both sides of one piece of steak with the flour mixture. Tap off any excess and dip it into the egg mixture. Dredge it again in the flour mixture, and place it on a rack or large plate. Repeat with the remaining steaks. Reserve 1/4 cup of the flour mixture to use in the gravy. Preheat the oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • 3
    In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm 1/2 inch of oil to 300°F. Working in batches of 2 steaks, gently place the steaks in the skillet in a single layer. There will be a lot of popping and hissing, so be careful. After 2 to 3 minutes, or when juices start bubbling out of the top of the steak, use tongs to gently flip the steaks and continue to cook them until they are lightly browned, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the steaks to the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining steaks.
  • 4
    To make the chile gravy, reserve 1/4 cup of oil from the skillet, then drain the rest and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel. (If your oil is too burnt tasting, you can use fresh oil, lard or bacon grease.) Return the oil to the skillet and warm over medium-low heat. Add the onion and, stirring occasionally, cook until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 more seconds. Add in the flour, whisking until everything is well combined. Cook for a minute or until it is just beginning to brown, then stir in the broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and black pepper. While stirring, cook until the sauce has thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the jalapeño pickle juice then taste and adjust seasonings, adding salt if needed.
  • 5
    Remove the steaks from the oven. Turn on the broiler. Remove the steaks from the oven and top each one with a handful of grated cheese and a few jalapeño slices. Position the steaks about 6 inches from the heating element and broil them just until the cheese is melted. Remove them from the broiler.
  • 6
    For plating, place a few spoonfuls of your gravy on each plate. Lay the steaks on top of the gravy. Add a side serving of rice and beans. Pour the remaining gravy into a bowl or pitcher to pass around at the table, along with nicely warmed tortillas.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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