When you think of comfort food, what comes to mind? For many, it’s a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and reminiscent of home-cooked meals that warm your soul. Cube Steak Smothered With Onion Gravy is exactly that kind of dish. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth cube steak is bathed in a rich, savory onion gravy that’s bursting with flavor. It’s a dish that’s been passed down through generations, and today, we’re going to give it a modern twist that will leave you craving more. So, let’s embark on a culinary journey to create a unique and unforgettable rendition of this classic comfort food.
Ingredients:
- 4 cube steaks
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions:
1. Prepping the Cube Steaks:
- Start by preheating your oven to 250°F (120°C). This will keep the cube steaks warm while you prepare the onion gravy.
- In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This will be the breading for your cube steaks.
- Dredge each cube steak in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing it into the meat to create a good coating.
2. Searing the Cube Steaks:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the cube steaks to the hot skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Once cooked, transfer the cube steaks to an oven-safe dish and keep them warm in the preheated oven.
3. Creating the Onion Gravy:
- In the same skillet, add the butter and sliced onions. Sauté the onions until they become soft and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle some of the leftover seasoned flour over the onions and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Gradually pour in the beef broth while stirring to create a smooth, thick gravy. Continue to cook and stir until the gravy has thickened, usually taking 5-7 minutes.
4. Smothering the Cube Steaks:
- Remove the cube steaks from the oven and place them back into the skillet with the onion gravy.
- Spoon the onion gravy over the cube steaks, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Cover the skillet and let the cube steaks simmer in the gravy for an additional 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and the cube steaks to become even more tender.
Variation: Cube Steak Smothered With Mushroom Gravy
If you want to give your Cube Steak Smothered With Onion Gravy a twist, consider trying a mushroom gravy variation. Simply replace the onions with sliced mushrooms, and follow the same cooking instructions to create a rich and earthy mushroom gravy. The combination of cube steak and mushroom gravy is a delightful alternative for those who enjoy the umami goodness of mushrooms.
Tips:
- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour in the breading mixture.
- If you’re short on time, you can use pre-tenderized cube steaks available at many grocery stores. This will cut down on cooking time.
- Serve your cube steak smothered with onion gravy with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttery noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Don’t rush the gravy-making process. Slowly adding the beef broth and allowing the gravy to thicken will ensure a rich, velvety texture.
In a world filled with culinary innovations, it’s important to remember the timeless appeal of classic comfort foods like Cube Steak Smothered With Onion Gravy. This dish offers a perfect blend of nostalgia and modernity. The crispy cube steaks paired with the savory, onion-infused gravy create a harmonious symphony of flavors that can make even the toughest day seem a bit brighter.
Whether you choose to stick with the traditional onion gravy or experiment with a mushroom gravy variation, this recipe is versatile and customizable to suit your preferences. It’s a true testament to the idea that even the most beloved classics can be reinvented and reimagined.
So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to cook up a comforting meal that will warm your heart and soul. Cube Steak Smothered With Onion Gravy is not just a dish; it’s an experience, a memory in the making, and a culinary journey worth savoring. Enjoy!