My Birthday Dinner

For my Birthday Dinner I choose one of my favorite meals. Chicken Fried Steak.


Butter Milk Mashed Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Green Beans

Chicken Fried Steak:
Vegetable oil, for frying
36 ounces round steak
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
Chopped Parsley
Chopped Chives

Directions
To make Chicken Fried Steak: Heat a deep, heavy skillet with at least 1/2-inch of oil to 340 degrees F. Alternatively, heat oil in a deep fryer to 340 degrees F.

Cut steak into 1/2-inch thick slices to make 6 (6-ounce) portions and remove any fat or gristle. Pound it with the coarse side of a tenderizing mallet until it is double in size and half as thick. In a shallow bowl, make an egg wash by combining the eggs and milk. In another shallow bowl or pan, make a seasoned breading by combining the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge the steak in the seasoned flour, dip it in the egg wash, and then return it to the flour and push the flour into the steak with your fingers so that there are no moist spots. Immediately slide the steak into the hot oil, in batches as necessary to prevent overcrowding, and fry on 1 side until golden and crispy; then turn over and cook the rest of the way. The steaks are done when you lift them with a pair of tongs and they are stiff, not floppy. Keep warm while making the gravy.


Considering I almost burned down the kitchen with my first, this was difinatly better. I did not tenderize the meat enough, so things were really tough. Hopefully my next try will be it.

For dessert I made a Spenda Blueberry Pie.

Ingredients
4 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)
2/3-1 Spenda
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4-1/3 cup cornstarch (depending on how thick you like your filling)
1/4 cup water

Directions
1 In a heavy saucepan mix together blueberries, sugar and lemon juice.
2 Over medium heat bring to boil, stirring frequently.
3 Mix cornstarch with water to make a paste.
4 Pour into berry mixture, stirring constantly until thick.
5 Remove from heat and let cool.
6 You can now freeze it or use for pie.
7 Bake at 400*F for about 35 minutes.


This was my birthday cake. It was WONDERFUL!