Hello Hello Hello Reader, It's Yukari!

In the last email, I asked which vegetable you disliked most as a kid.
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And the clear winner was…
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The Most Hated Vegetable by Kids...

Brussels sprouts. 😄
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As I suspected…
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A lot of us grew up with Brussels sprouts that were boiled too long, smelled way too strong, turned mushy, tasted bitter, or came with the classic dinner-table pressure of, “You can’t leave until you eat them.”
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Not exactly a recipe for falling in love with vegetables.
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But Aric and I have served Brussels sprouts to our meal prep and private dinner clients many times, and we’ve had more than one person say:
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“I would have loved Brussels sprouts if they tasted like this when I was a kid.”So here’s the simple method we use.

How to Make Brussels Sprouts Taste Better

1. Trim the bottom stems and cut the Brussels sprouts in half.
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2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. It should taste like the sea. 🌊
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3. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook for about 4 minutes. ⏲️
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4. Move them into an ice bath, then drain and pat them very dry. (It sears better. 😎)
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5. Start with a non-heated pan with a little oil, and put the Brussels sprouts flat side down.
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6. Turn the heat to high, then reduce it to medium once you start hearing a bit of sizzle, and let them brown until crisp.
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7. Season with salt and pepper. (And add butter if you like. It's delicious. 🧡)

That’s it.

This gives you Brussels sprouts that are bright, crisp on the outside, and tender inside, without roasting them forever in the oven.

Here’s Aric offering a few "Chef" tips you can use in your own kitchen! ➡️ [Watch Video!]
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And this is exactly the kind of thing I want more people to have in their back pocket.

Just a simple technique that makes fresh food feel possible.

That’s why Aric and I have been brainstorming something new... 😎

A Cooking Book??? Yes, But It's Different! 🥳

We're planning to create a simple digital cookbook focused on 3-, 5-, and 7-ingredient meals. 🤩
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​(Salt, Pepper, Water, and Oil are excluded. 😅) ​
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​The idea would be:
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​3 ingredients for low-energy nights

​5 ingredients for normal weeknights
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​7 ingredients for when you want dinner to feel a little special (like a date night, family fun, or a dish you've always wanted to make)
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Not complicated.
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Not the instructions that have 10,000 steps.
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Just simple meals that still feel cozy, fresh, and worth making.
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Does it sound fun? 😎

Before I go further with it, I’d love to know...

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Hit reply and share your answer or any additional thoughts with me!
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I personally read all replies, and your input will directly shape what I create next. 📫

One Quick Note Before I Go...

[Denver metro friends and family!]
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We currently have ONE Spot Open for Our Weekly Personal Chef Meal Prep Service.

If you know someone who could use a little more ease around dinner...
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A busy family, a couple with full schedules, someone recovering from a big life season, or anyone who wants nourishing meals without the daily planning and cooking...
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We’d be so grateful if you thought of us! 🙏

They can fill out our quick intake form here, or you’re welcome to forward this to them.
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We also offer a one-week, no-obligation trial so new clients can see if we’re a good fit before committing.

Thank you for trusting us, and for sharing our work with people you care about. 🙏🧡🙏
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It means more than you know. 🧡

Thanks for being at our Kitchen Table, on this cozy little corner of the internet.
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We appreciate you following along and letting us share not just what we cook but why we cook. 🧡
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With gratitude and friendship,
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Aric & Yukari
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🐱🐶 (Ka-En and Senna, who have nothing to do with cooking, but to eat. 😂)
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