Chef Darren Stanley is the talent in the kitchen of the AAA Four Diamond Atlantis Steakhouse located at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada where the focus is on American Steakhouse classics and the freshest of seafood. An elegant ambience sets the mood for the fine dining restaurant where attentive, professional service, combined with an exceptional wine list created by Sommelier ("Somm") Christian O’Kuinghttans complement Chef Darren Stanley’s creative cuisine. Chef Darren Stanley graciously provides a delectable taste of the Atlantis Steakhouse with his recipe for Seared Scallops with Pea and Mint Puree, which we enjoyed during our dining experience at the restaurant.
Chef Darren Stanley
We had a wonderful dinner at the Atlantis Steakhouse on Saturday, July 27, 2019 and having experienced Chef Darren Stanley’s Scallops, we asked if he would provide the recipe for Luxury Experience, for which he graciously agreed.
Chef Darren Stanley is passionate about cooking. He went to the Cordon Bleu Culinary Schoolin Sacramen to, California for savory cooking but loves to make pastry as well. His inspiration to learn to cook was simple, he loves to eat, and when you work in a restaurant you can eat like a king, although you work very hard.
Atlantis Steakhoue
When he first started out, Chef Darren worked with a Swiss chef who he said really pumped him up. The chef was very relaxed in the kitchen and never jumped on the staff, which is something that he learned and emulates at the Atlantis Steakhouse in the treatment of his own team.
Two of his favorite items on the current menu are the Rib Eye Steak, which is A+ grade beef they obtain from Allen Brothers in Chicago, and their Scallop dish with pea and mint puree. He loves all seafood, and especially likes their seafood tower. Having experienced both the Rib Eye Steak and the Scallops, we readily agree that they are truly delicious.
The restaurant prides itself on upholding fine dining classics by making Classic Caesar Salad, Steak Diane, and Shrimp Scampi expertly prepared tableside, as well as the decadent desserts of Bananas Foster, Cherries Jubilee, Crepes, and Café Diablo.
His favorite summer ingredients? Corn, tomatoes, and cilantro. His favorite cooking tool? Fire! Atlantis Steakhouse has a wood-fired grill where he can work his culinary magic to create perfectly cooked creations.
When not working in the kitchen at the Atlantis Steakhouse, he and his wife like to spend time with their 3 ½ year old son, taking him to the park, hiking, or just out walking. They do Keto a lot, and their son is developing a love for spicy food. At home, his son enjoys helping him make pancakes for breakfast, so perhaps there is a budding chef in the making.
Chef Darren Stanley graciously provides his recipe for Seared Scallops with Pea and Mint Puree to entice your palate into making a trip to Reno, Nevada and dining at the Atlantis Steakhouse.
Chef Darren Stanley – Atlantis Steakhouse – Seared Scallops with Pea and Mint Puree
Seared Scallops with Pea and Mint Puree
Sea Scallops Ingredients:
|
4 |
Each |
Nantucket Lighthouse Scallops (U-8) |
|
2 |
Tablespoons |
Grapeseed Oil |
|
|
|
Salt and Pepper, to taste |
Method: Dry the scallops. Heat pan. Add oil and let it get hot. Season scallops and sear in pan for 3-minutes each side.
Pea and Mint Puree Ingredients:
|
8 |
Ounces |
Fresh Sweet Snap Peas, shelled |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Garlic |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Shallots |
|
1 |
Cup |
Vegetable Stock |
|
1 |
Cup |
Cream |
|
1 |
Teaspoon |
Olive Oil |
|
1 |
Sprig |
Mint |
|
0.5 |
Ounce |
Mint Leaves, chopped |
|
|
|
Salt and Pepper, to taste |
Method: In a 4-quart saucepan add olive oil and heat. Add the garlic and shallots for 30-seconds or until garlic is golden.
Add peas, vegetable stock, and cream. Reduce by half and remove from heat. Strain out the liquid and reserve.
Put peas in a blender and blend. Slowly add some liquid from the reduction to reach desired thickness. Add in chopped mint, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Pickled Onions Ingredients:
|
0.5 |
|
Red Onion |
|
1 |
Cup |
Water |
|
0.3 |
Cup |
Cider Vinegar |
|
3 |
Tablespoons |
Sugar |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Sea Salt |
Method: Add water, vinegar, salt, and sugar to the 4-quart saucepan and warm until sugar and salt are dissolved. Take off heat.
Slice the red onion and put it in a metal bowl and add the warm vinegar mix and let sit for 1-hour or up to 3-days.
Lemon Beurre Blanc Ingredients:
|
2 |
Tablespoons |
Garlic |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Shallots |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Grapeseed Oil |
|
2 |
Ounces |
Lemon Thyme |
|
3 |
Ounces |
Fresh Lemon Juice |
|
6 |
Ounces |
White Wine |
|
1 |
Ounce |
Cream |
|
8 |
Ounces |
Butter |
|
|
|
Salt and Pepper, to taste |
Method: In an 8-quart saucepan, add the grapeseed oil and the garlic, shallots, lemon thyme, and cook until garlic is golden. Add in lemon juice and let reduce for 1-minute. Add cream and reduce by half. Lower heat to low and add butter in a little at a time and stir until all the butter is added. Add salt and pepper to taste and set aside in a warm place.
Grilled Asparagus and Fennel
|
0.25 |
|
Fennel Bulb, sliced |
|
4 |
|
Asparagus |
|
1 |
Tablespoon |
Olive Oil |
|
|
|
Salt and Pepper, to taste |
Method: Slice the fennel bulb so that the core of the bulb is still holding everything together. Trim the bottoms of the asparagus if needed. Oil the vegetables and season before grilling them. Put them on the hot side of the grill to get grill marks and then move then to the warm side until fully cooked.
Pea Shoots
Chef Darren Stanley notes that they are lucky to have Hyde’s Herbs and Microgreens, a local micro greens producer, grows and supplies the restaurant with pea shoots on a weekly basis.
Presentation: Swoosh the pea and mint puree on the plate, top with the scallops, add the fennel, asparagus, and pickled onions to the center of the plate. Position the scallops on the plate, then spoon the Lemon Beurre Blanc over the scallops and garnish with the pea shoots.
Watch Luxury Experience video interview with Chef Darren Stanley – https://youtu.be/GihOsJdTMMs
Read more about the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in the Hotels and Resorts, Restaurants, Spas,and Chefs’ Recipes sections.
Read about Reno, Nevada in the Destinations, Arts, Adventures, and Performances sections.
Atlantis Steakhouse Bar
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa
3800 S. Virginia Street
Reno, Nevada 89502
United States
Telephone: +1-775-954-4135
Website: www.atlantiscasino.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlantiscasinoresortspa
Twitter: @atlantiscasino
Instagram: @atlantiscasino
Chef Darren Stanley and Debra C. Argen
Important Travel Information:
When is the best time to visit Reno and Tahoe? Anytime! There is always something exciting happening throughout the year! From special events and festivals or just taking it easy, the area offers a rich diversity of possibilities.
A Few Festival Ideas for Inspiration -Month-By-Month
|
January |
Reno Latin Dance Fest |
|
February |
SnowFest! |
|
March |
Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry |
|
April |
Reno Jazz Festival |
|
May |
Reno River Festival |
|
June |
Reno Rodeo |
|
July |
Artown |
|
July – August |
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival |
|
August |
Hot August Nights |
|
September |
The Great Reno Balloon Race |
|
October |
Lake Tahoe Marathon |
|
November |
Reno Pop Culture Con |
|
December |
Northern Lights Festival |
Need more inspiration to plan your trip to Reno, Nevada, visit the website: https://www.visitrenotahoe.com/plan-your-trip/special-events/
Flight Information
Reno, Nevais accessible with non-stop flights from many US cities making it an easy destination for visitors.
Direct Flights to Reno from:
|
Airport |
Airport Code |
|
Boise |
BOI |
|
Chicago |
MDW/ORD |
|
Dallas |
Dal/DFW |
|
Denver |
DEN |
|
Houston |
HOU |
|
Las Vegas |
LAS |
|
Los Angeles |
LAX |
|
Minneapolis |
MSP |
|
New York |
JFK/LGA/EWR |
|
Phoenix |
PHX |
|
Portland |
PDX/PWN |
|
Salt Lake City |
SLC |
|
San Diego |
SAN |
|
San Francisco |
SFO |
|
San Jose |
SJC |
|
Seattle |
SEA |
For more information on direct flights to Reno, please visit the website: https://www.atlantiscasino.com/activities/direct-flights-to-reno/
For more information on the Reno and Lake Tahoe area please visit the website: www.VisitRenoTahoe.com
Follow Visit Reno Tahoe on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/renotahoe
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© August 2019. Luxury Experience. www.LuxuryExperience.com. All rights reserved.
