A great twist on Chicken Fried Steak, with a milk gravy that will remind you of dinner at Grandma’s.

yield: Makes 4 servings
active time: 40 min
total time: 1 hr

Ingredients

4 (1/2-inch-thick) boneless rib pork chops (1 1/2 lb total)
2 cups plus 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 3/4 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 large egg
3 1/4 cups whole milk
2 cups vegetable oil
Special equipment: a meat pounder with rough-textured side; a deep-fat thermometer

Directions

Pound pork chops on both sides with rough-textured side of meat pounder until 1/4 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper and cut into 3-inch pieces. Whisk together 2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon salt, the garlic powder and onion powder, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow dish. Whisk together egg, 3/4 cup milk, remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in another shallow dish. Dip pork pieces in egg mixture to coat, then dredge in flour. Transfer pork as coated to a large rack set on a baking sheet. Let pork stand, uncovered, at room temperature 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 250°F.

Heat oil in a deep 10-inch heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over high heat until thermometer registers 375°F. Fry pork in batches, turning over once, until golden, about 4 minutes per batch, transferring to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 375°F between batches. Keep pork warm on a clean baking sheet in oven.

Pour off all but 2 tablespoons oil into a heatproof bowl, leaving any brown bits in bottom of skillet, then add remaining 3 tablespoons flour to skillet and cook roux over moderate heat, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Bring to a boil and whisk in remaining 2 1/2 cups milk. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season gravy with salt and pepper and serve over pork.