DURANT, Okla. (KTEN) – Father's Day is right around the corner, and Choctaw Casino in Durant is making sure you do it right.

That perfect steak takes a little bit of preparation.

“You always want to thoroughly preheat your pan and then add your oil. Leave [the meat] on the counter for about 30 minutes to an hour; take the chill off the steak,” explained 1832 Steakhouse Chef Patrick Nelson, who learned thing or two from his father.

“Growing up, I used to cook a lot with my dad and watch him cook steaks on the grill out back, throwing a football around,” Nelson said.

If the meat is good, don’t go heavy on the seasoning.

“I like a nice kosher salt and coarse ground black pepper,” he said.

Chef Patrick Nelson of 1832 Steakhouse has some tips for a perfect Father's Day meal.
Chef Patrick Nelson of 1832 Steakhouse has some tips for a perfect Father's Day meal. (KTEN)

 

And don’t ask Chef Nelson how long to set your timer.

“If you’re cooking a steak by time, that’s just a great way to mess up your steak," he said. "The best thing you can do is invest in a little digital thermometer.”

Chef Nelson started with 1832 Steakhouse a year-and-a-half ago. To him, cooking is second nature.

“My wife claims that all of my memories are food-based,” he said. “I might not have known what someone was wearing, or why we were gathered together, but I remember what we ate," he said. 

After just a few minutes in a 425° oven, it’s time to let the meat sit.

“We are going to let these guys rest for 4 to 5 minutes before we cut into them,” Nelson said.

Now he'll have to see if his family follows his own instructions. 

“I’ve got a seven-year-old at home, and I’ll miss Father’s Day, but we’ll try to do something the next day for sure,” Nelson said.