Poor Man's Chicken Fried Steak

Divide the ground beef into 4 equal portions and gently flatten each portion into thin patties. (5 minutes)

Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until it's almost smoking. Cook the beef patties until deeply browned and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the patties and set aside. Be sure to leave the flavorful browned drippings in the skillet for the gravy. (10 minutes)

In a shallow bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour with a generous pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, beat the eggs until smooth, adding a half teaspoon of water, if needed, for a smoother consistency. (5 minutes)

Return the skillet to medium heat and add the vegetable oil. Ensure the oil is hot before proceeding. Dip each cooked burger into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Repeat this egg-and-flour coating process 3 times to create a wonderfully thick and crispy crust on each burger. (10 minutes)

Carefully place the coated burgers into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Pan-fry until golden brown and beautifully crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove the burgers and set aside. (10 minutes)

Spoon away any excess vegetable oil from the skillet, leaving behind the flavorful browned bits. Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the skillet. Stir to loosen any of the delicious brown flavor bits clinging to the bottom of the pan. Whisk in 1 tablespoon of flour until smooth, creating a roux. For a very thick gravy, add a bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time. (5 minutes)

Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue cooking until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency, about 5-7 minutes. Season generously to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. (7 minutes)

Serve the creamy, savory gravy immediately over the crispy, chicken-fried beef patties. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful meal! (2 minutes)