Country-Fried Steak with White Gravy - Prime Time Emeril

This has to be my favorite way to have steak. I have to try this recipe. :-) 

One 1 3/4 - 3 pound round steak, cut into 4 equal portions
3 tablespoons Emeril's Original Essence or Creole Seasoning
1/2 pound bacon, chopped
1 1/2 cups bleached all-purpose
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups milk
1 cup fine dried bread crumbs
1/2 cup minced yellow onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the steak on a plastic wrap-covered work surface and cover with another piece of plastic wrap. Pound the meat to a 1/4-inch thickness with a meat mallet. Season both sides of the meat with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the Essence.

Fry the bacon in a large skillet until just crisp, 6-8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, leaving the fat in the pan. Set the pan aside.

Combine the flour with 1 tablespoon of the Essence in a large shallow bowl. Whisk the egg with 1/2 cup of the milk and 1 1/2 teaspoon of the Essence in another bowl. Combine the bread crumbs and the remaining 1 tablespoon Essence in another shallow bowl or baking dish.

Dredge the meat in the seasoned flour, then dip the egg wash, letting the excess drip off. Dredge the meat in the seasoned bread crumbs, coating each side evenly. Shake off any excess bread crumbs. Reserve the seasoned flour.

Reheat the bacon fat in the skillet over high heat until very hot but not smoking. In batches, without crowding, carefully add the meat and fry until golden brown, 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

Add 3 tablespoons of the reserved seasoned flour to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes, to make a light roux. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 2 cups milk, the salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the sauce is thickened and there is no raw flour taste, about 5 minutes. Stir in the bacon.

Serve the steaks with the hot gravy.

Makes 4 servings.