Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy

Ingredients

• 2 pounds sirloin tip steaks
• Salt
• Pepper
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup cornstarch
• 2 quarts peanut or canola oil
• 1 small finely minced onion
• 1 sprig fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk