A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 6 servings. For the tomato-onion chutney: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 sweet onions, coarsely chopped 6 large fresh tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup molasses ¼

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 6 servings. For the tomato-onion chutney: 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 sweet onions, coarsely chopped 6 large fresh tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup molasses ¼

Cube Steak with Tomato-Onion Chutney

Cube Steak with Tomato-Onion Chutney

Yield: 6 servings.

For the tomato-onion chutney:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sweet onions, coarsely chopped
6 large fresh tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
Pinch cayenne pepper

For the fried cube steak:
½ cup canola or vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
6 portions cube steak, or 3 pounds
2 tablespoons butter

For the tomato-onion chutney: Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven. Add onions and cook until they start to caramelize, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes, tomato juice, and garlic. Cook on medium-low heat, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Add molasses, vinegar, salt, and cayenne pepper. Simmer all ingredients for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mixture will thicken as it cooks down. Chutney may be made a day in advance and refrigerated.

For the fried cube steak: Heat oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.

Mix together flour, salt, and pepper.

Season both sides of steaks with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece in flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat well.

Add butter to pan. When butter has melted, fry steak in butter/oil mixture. Flip when sides are deep golden brown, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. Cook the other side for approximately 1 minute.

Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Spoon tomato-onion chutney over steak. Serve immediately.

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This story was published on Aug 17, 2017

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.