Dearest Simplicity

I am almost embarrassed to share this recipe with you. It is so simple, you will probably laugh. To me, the technique is key to getting the lemony flavor just right. And the luscious green color? Positively inspiring. To me, at least. A nice contrast to the cold, brown world that exists outside of the kitchen. At least the sky is blue today...

MEYER LEMON BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Fat-free! Negative calorie! These babies are perfect if you are eating light. Or if you just adore their pungent flavor, as I do.

• brussels sprouts, thoroughly cleaned, stems removed
• juice of meyer lemons
• freshly-cracked black pepper

You'll need the juice of 1 meyer lemon per 10 brussels sprouts. Squeeze it all out! OK, so the first thing you do is cut the brussels sprouts in half. If you have prepared them correctly, the will stay in tact. Now, steam them for 5-10 minutes or until they are almost perfectly soft. Now, transfer them to bowl containing the meyer lemon juice. Crack your pepper on top of them, as much as you wish. Put a tight-fitting lid over top of the bowl and let it sit (further steaming the brussels sprouts & infusing them with lemony goodness) for 4-5 minutes. Serve hot or cold with additional cracked pepper and any leftover lemon juice for dipping.