Chicken Fried Steak

Whip together egg, buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; set batter aside.

Blend together flour and cracker meal in another bowl. Place cutlet in mixture, and cover both sides well. Submerge the cutlet in the egg batter; then place it back in the flour mixture, patting both sides again evenly to coat.

Melt shortening in a deep fryer (or cast-iron skillet), and heat to 325°. Place cutlet in fryer, and fry until it floats and turns golden. Remove steak from fryer; drain well, reserving ½ c. drippings for gravy if desired. Place steak on plate, and keep warm while preparing Cream Gravy Spoon gravy generously over steak.

Note: Place crackers in a baggie & roll with rolling pin to crush to a small fine texture.