RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Best-Ever Steak Fingers

Country-fried or chicken-fried are terms for breaded and deep-fried poultry and meat. In fact, chicken-fried steak is an institution in the American South, where thinly sliced cuts of cubed steak are prepared in this way and served with country gravy and biscuits. There's not much room for improvement in this classic-or is there?

In Best-Ever Steak Fingers, chicken-fried steak gets a makeover into easily picked-up finger foods tailor-made for dipping in a savory sauce. They are perfect for picnics and meals on the go. Dig in, courtesy of Lord Honey Traditional Southern Recipes with a Country Bling Twist (Pelican Publishing) by Chef Jason Smith.

INGREDIENTS:

Veggie oil for frying

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons all-purpose steak seasoning, divided

1 cup buttermilk

1 egg

4 pounds beef cube steak

Dipping sauce

1 cup mayo

1/2 cup sour cream

2 Tablespoons yellow mustard

1 package dry Italian salad dressing

2 Tablespoons dried dill

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to the lowest temperature.

Pour 1 inch of oil into a large cast-iron or other thick-bottomed skillet. Turn the heat to medium-low. Place the flour in a shallow pan. Sprinkle half the steak seasoning over the flour, and mix together.

Cut steak into 1-inch strips. Add the rest of the steak seasoning, rubbing it into each piece. Turn the heat to medium on the skillet. Place each strip in the flour mix, then into the milk and egg mix, then back into the flour. Shake off excess and place each strip on a plate. Repeat until all strips are coated.

Sprinkle a few drops of flour over the oil. If it sizzles, it's ready to fry. Using tongs or a fork, place the strips side by side in hot oil. Don't crowd the pan, or it will cool the oil.

After about 2 to 3 minutes, when the strips start to brown on the bottom, turn over. When the second side is brown, remove and place on a cooling rack set on a cookie sheet. Set the sheet in the preheated oven. Repeat until all fingers are cooked.

In a bowl, whisk together all dipping sauce ingredients.