Pounded Steak a La Morrelli

Dixie Vader's Note:

This is one of my family's favorite recipes. The original recipe came from 'Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook', but I've adapted it to suit our tastes. Enjoy!

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 5

• 1 ½ lbs beef cube steaks (beef for braising)
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• oil
• 24 ounces can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ½ cup chopped carrot
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
2. Combine the flour and the salt.
3. Next, cut the beef in half and coat it in the flour mixture.
4. Pour enough oil to cover the bottom of your skillet and heat on medium-high.
5. While it is heating, combine the tomatoes, celery, carrots, and Worcestershire in a medium bowl.
6. When the oil heats up, add several pieces of beef and brown on both sides. (It's not supposed to cook all the way).
7. When the meat is browned, set aside on paper towels to drain. Add the remaining flour to the pan drippings.
8. Stir in the tomato mixture and stir constantly until it's thick and bubbly.
9. Put the meat in baking dish, (I use two 7 1/2 square dishes, but it calls for a 12 x 7 1/2 dish. Take your pick) then pour the skillet mixture over it.
10. Cover the dish and bake for about an hour (when the meat is cooked all the way through).