Cubed steak is a thin, tough cut of beef that can be tenderized with a meat mallet or electric tenderizer. It can be used in a variety of recipes, including chicken fried steak, stews, and baked dishes, and is a low-cost option for creating filling entrees.
Cubed steak is a thin cut of beef that usually consists of a sirloin or round. Because the cut is usually a bit tough, it’s wise to use some means to tenderize the cut before actually preparing the steak. The tenderizing process can be accomplished using a meat mallet or an electric meat tenderizer to get the right texture. Once the meat is ready to cook, there are a number of cubed steak recipes that can be used to create excellent entrees that are both nutritional and low cost.
A popular cube steak recipe that’s easy to make calls for nothing more than a couple of tender cube steaks, salt and pepper, and an onion. After tenderizing the meat, it is placed in a skillet over medium heat, then seasoned with salt and pepper to taste. The meat is left to sear for two to three minutes, then turned over to the other side. Once the steaks are cooked through, they are removed from the pan and the thin slices of onion are sauteed in the drippings until they begin to caramelize. Tender strips of onion are placed atop each steak, making for a simple yet eye-catching presentation.
Cube steak can also be used as a beef stew in soups and stews. To prepare the meat for the soup, hold it with a meat mallet, then dice the meat into small sections. Fry the slices in a pan, then add to the boiling broth. You can use cubed steak in place of other types of beef or chicken in almost any type of stew, even recipes that are slowly cooked slowly in a crock-pot.
There is also a wide variety of other crock pot recipes for cube steaks found online and in various cookbooks. Because steak is relatively inexpensive, it can be used to create an earthenware dish that closely resembles pot roast and slow-cooked potatoes, or even as a condiment in a cream-based soup with rice, creating a filling entree that costs very little per serving.
Chicken fried steak is commonly made with cube steak. The basic recipe calls for coating the tender section of meat in a thin flour-based coating, then frying the steak to a golden brown. Gravy is used to complement the fried steak, with the entrée often served with potatoes and some sort of green vegetable.
Diced steaks can also be used in baked dishes. An example is a simple meal prepared in the southern region of the United States. Known as a hobo dinner, the dish includes sliced potatoes, carrots and onions, layered in a saucepan. Four cubed steaks are held, seasoned and placed on top of the vegetables. After covering the dish with foil, it is baked in a hot oven for thirty to forty-five minutes. The end result is a simple meal for four that’s both filling and affordable.
Cubed steak is available in most supermarkets and many butchers. While this form of steak was once considered a staple for low-income families, its versatility has made it a favorite among all income groups. There are cookbooks devoted to nothing more than the use of cube steak in a variety of recipes.
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