Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika
• Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups canola oil, for frying
• 2 pounds round steak, tenderized and roughly cut into 5-inch squares (about 8 pieces)
• Mashed potatoes, for serving

Instructions

1. Whisk 1/2 cup of the milk and the eggs together in a bowl and set aside. Combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika and some salt and pepper in another bowl and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Dip a cutlet into the egg wash, then in the seasoned flour. Return to the egg wash for a quick dip, then immediately add to the heated oil in the skillet. (Be careful, the oil will pop and sizzle.) Repeat without crowding the skillet. Cook until brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook an additional 3 minutes. Remove to a plate lined with paper towels and keep warm. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, moderating the heat to maintain medium-high heat.
3. Pour off all but 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cooking oil with the "drippings," the browned bits in the bottom of the skillet. On low heat, add 3 tablespoons of the leftover seasoned flour mixture to the oil and whisk to make a roux. Cook until golden, about 1 minute. Gradually add the remaining 1 1/2 cups milk to the flour mixture while whisking together. Let cook until thickened, about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Serve the cutlets with mashed potatoes and the gravy.