Stouffer’s Country Fried Beef Steak

June 27, 2007 | Reviewer: Nicole

Stouffer's Country Fried Beef Steak Price: $2.00 (on sale)
Serving: 1 package, 16 oz.
Calories: 610
Fat: 51%, 33g
Cholesterol: 13%, 40mg
Sodium: 55%, 1330mg
Protein: 22g
Carbohydrates: 18%, 55g
Fiber: 24%, 6g

Stouffer’s says: A large, breaded chopped beef patty surrounded by homestyle country gravy. Served with a green bean and carrot medley and a satisfying portion of Stouffer’s creamy mashed potatoes.

Nicole says: This box of Stouffer’s Country Fried Beef Steak had been sitting in my freezer for the past few weeks. Well, since the Stouffer’s sale at Giant. I was waiting to be “in the mood” to eat it. A comfort-food type mood. But what actually put me there is the fact that I’m dating a man enamored of the Food Network, especially of the hokey “Good Eats” with Alton Brown.

The other night, a Good Eats re-run (Cubing a Round) told me all I ever needed to know about some of my favorite meals. It was about cube steak. Apparently, “Salisbury Steak,” “Chicken Friend Steak,” and “Country Fried Steak” all fall under this category, as does something called “Swedish Steak.” They are “perforated” steaks. I learned so much more than I can impart here - you will have to keep an eye out for the program. After watching, I really wanted a Country or Chicken Fried Steak. I mean, I love a decent filet, but a steak that is tenderized, floured/breaded, fried, and served with gravy? Ahhhh….

Stouffer’s offering is paired with mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans. The cooking is overly complicated, but I guess the variety in the meal is the culprit. Add water to veggies. Cook 4 minutes. Stir potatoes. Cook 4 minutes. No, not the most complicated thing ever, but more than is generally expected of convenience food.

The gravy portion looks a bit miserly, but the steak is of a decent size (about 3″ x 4″ and 3/4″ thick) and the potato portion is generous. There are also a ton of steamed carrots and green beans. The carrot slices are soft but not mushy, the green beans maintain just an iota of crispness. There really are a lot of vegetables in this meal, perhaps more than I eat in an average day. Too bad they’re of middling microwave quality.

The point of this whole meal, cube steak, should be so tender that a knife is not required. The “perforation” and slow cooking destroys all connective tissue. This doesn’t work the best ever, however, when you are using a plastic fork. I’m surprised I didn’t break any tines off in my microwaved steak. The breading was soggy, but it was going to get that way anyhow once I slathered on the creamy, peppery gravy. The steak is not as tender as I would like, but has a nice flavor. The flavor would be meaty. Too bad that I could tell that some connective tissue remained. Stouffer’s, listen to Mr. Brown and get this 48 blade meat tenderizer.

This is a nice, big, tasty lunch, but I’ve had better Country and Chicken Fried Steak from the microwave. Get Marie Callender’s offering if you’re unconcerned about price. Or get a 48-blade meat tenderizer and go to work at home. Invite me over for dinner. Stouffer’s is a poor man’s cube steak that I would recommend on sale only. Not that I wasn’t licking the gravy from the carton. But that’s just how I roll.

[We haven’t yet reviewed Marie’s Country Fried Steak, but if you’re interested in other breaded and fried and then microwaved items, check out Nicole’s review of Marie Callender’s Country Fried Chicken and Gravy. -Ed.]

comments

3 Responses to “Stouffer’s Country Fried Beef Steak”

Ace N. on June 27th, 2007

I knew a girl as witty as you with such an unfettered love for gravy and cheese sauces would be taken. My spirit is broken, but my heart will go on.
Crow on June 27th, 2007

“This really are a lot of vegetables in this meal, perhaps more than I eat in an average day.”

How are you not dead yet?
Abi Jones on June 27th, 2007

Ace - Yeah, she’s fabulous.

Crow - I take responsibility for that typo. Also, Nicole is like a cat on life #3. She does eat the vegetables that come with frozen meals.