PatioDaddio
Babbling Farker
Finger Steaks
Finger steaks were invented right here in my adopted hometown of Boise,
Idaho. The story is that Milo Bybee, chef at Milo’s Torch Lounge, created
them in 1957 as a means of disposing of leftover tenderloin.
To be completely honest, I really don't care who invented them and when;
they are seriously good.
Many of you now have a look on your face that resembles a dog that just
heard a strange noise. "What in the world is a finger steak?!", you ask.
It's simply a strip of steak that is battered and deep fried. Deep fried
steak... Just sit there and let that marinate in your brain for a minute.
Yeah, it's way good.
I've eaten my fair share of finger steaks and, while the originals were
apparently made with tenderloin, most are dry and forgettable. I decided
to try to make a version that is true to its roots without breaking the bank.
My recipe calls for flat iron steak. It's a vastly under-appreciated cut that
is often referred to as the second most tender steak on the steer. It offers
great flavor and outstanding tenderness at a small fraction of the price of
tenderloin. As an added bonus, it's long and slender shape and generally
uniform thickness is tailor-made for finger steaks.
OK, that's enough history and anatomy. Let's get cookin'!
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 lb Flat iron steak (or top round)
1 cup flour
1 Egg, beaten
1 1/2 Tbsp Seasoned salt (or a salty BBQ rub)
1 tsp Black pepper
1/4 cup Buttermilk
1/4 cup Dark beer
1 Tbsp Hot sauce (I use Frank's® Red Hot® or Crystal)
Method
Note: If you're using round steak, tenderize it with a meat mallet first.
Season each side of the steak with a teaspoon of the seasoned salt/BBQ
rub.
Combine the flour, the remaining seasoned salt/BBQ rub, and pepper in a
small bowl and mix well.
Combine the the buttermilk, beer, egg and hot sauce in another bowl and
whisk to combine.
Cut the steak into half-inch wide strips that are about three or four inches
long.
Dredge the steak strips in the flour mixture, then into the egg batter, then
back into the flour.
Put the battered strips in a flat rimmed container pan and freeze. This
really helps keep the batter intact when you fry them.
Deep fry the frozen steaks at 350º degrees until golden brown.
Tip: Fry in small batches (5-7 at a time) and keep them warm in a 175º
oven on a rack in a sheet pan (as seen in the picture above).
Serve with french fries (of course) and cocktail or BBQ sauce for dipping.
Enjoy!
-----
John
Finger steaks were invented right here in my adopted hometown of Boise,
Idaho. The story is that Milo Bybee, chef at Milo’s Torch Lounge, created
them in 1957 as a means of disposing of leftover tenderloin.
To be completely honest, I really don't care who invented them and when;
they are seriously good.
Many of you now have a look on your face that resembles a dog that just
heard a strange noise. "What in the world is a finger steak?!", you ask.
It's simply a strip of steak that is battered and deep fried. Deep fried
steak... Just sit there and let that marinate in your brain for a minute.
Yeah, it's way good.
I've eaten my fair share of finger steaks and, while the originals were
apparently made with tenderloin, most are dry and forgettable. I decided
to try to make a version that is true to its roots without breaking the bank.
My recipe calls for flat iron steak. It's a vastly under-appreciated cut that
is often referred to as the second most tender steak on the steer. It offers
great flavor and outstanding tenderness at a small fraction of the price of
tenderloin. As an added bonus, it's long and slender shape and generally
uniform thickness is tailor-made for finger steaks.
OK, that's enough history and anatomy. Let's get cookin'!
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 2 lb Flat iron steak (or top round)
1 cup flour
1 Egg, beaten
1 1/2 Tbsp Seasoned salt (or a salty BBQ rub)
1 tsp Black pepper
1/4 cup Buttermilk
1/4 cup Dark beer
1 Tbsp Hot sauce (I use Frank's® Red Hot® or Crystal)
Method
Note: If you're using round steak, tenderize it with a meat mallet first.
Season each side of the steak with a teaspoon of the seasoned salt/BBQ
rub.
Combine the flour, the remaining seasoned salt/BBQ rub, and pepper in a
small bowl and mix well.
Combine the the buttermilk, beer, egg and hot sauce in another bowl and
whisk to combine.
Cut the steak into half-inch wide strips that are about three or four inches
long.
Dredge the steak strips in the flour mixture, then into the egg batter, then
back into the flour.
Put the battered strips in a flat rimmed container pan and freeze. This
really helps keep the batter intact when you fry them.
Deep fry the frozen steaks at 350º degrees until golden brown.
Tip: Fry in small batches (5-7 at a time) and keep them warm in a 175º
oven on a rack in a sheet pan (as seen in the picture above).
Serve with french fries (of course) and cocktail or BBQ sauce for dipping.
Enjoy!
-----
John
