Do you believe in love at first bite? I’m far from the hopeless romantic type, giddy over every vague glimmer of attraction, but I sure do. Far from a mere plausibility, I can assure you that it’s a proven fact; I’ve experienced it on more than one occasion. Locking lips with one powerful bite that sweeps you off your feet in a moment of passion, you loose yourself in the moment. The setting, the people, the noise all melt away, leaving only the lingering taste sensation, and lust for more.

Blue Sake Sushi Grill is the most recent backdrop of one such fiery affair. From the onset, I knew this one would be a compelling catch, boasting a lengthy menu of entirely vegan maki and nigiri that go well beyond the standard vegetable garden. We’re talking about tomato ahi tuna, eggplant barbecued eel, ikura CaviArt– And those are only mere components that make up the larger rolls.

Don’t be shy; a little flirtation is a good way to get acquainted. Ease into the conversation with any of the clearly labeled plant-based appetizers, such as the Crispy Brussels Sprouts that could convert a hater. It’s not hard to find incredible fried Brussels in this city, with immaculately crisp, almost translucent leaves and tender, buttery interiors, but these take it to the next level. Slathered in zesty, savory, and subtly sweet yuzu-miso sauce, that plate alone would score serious points for a first date.

Recommending maki rolls from this fetching lineup is a daunting task, but the good news is that there are no losers here. The Cowgirl roll, which includes pickle tempura, sriracha-fried onion rings, BBQ-flavored soy paper instead of nori, vegan mayo, and tonkatsu sauce, is the overwhelming fan favorite. My personal favorite, however, was the Eden roll, comprised of grilled asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet potato tempura, and topped with creamy edamame hummus. It truly does taste like a little bite of heaven, swaddled in white sesame soy paper.

Best of all, you can indulge on a budget during their daily happy hour, which naturally includes a wide selection of carefully crafted mixed drinks. If you need an extra push to give it a try, join the Bite Club to get a sweet discount of $10 off you first $20 purchase.

Laying claim to 15 locations nationwide as of this writing, with plans to continue that rapid expansion, it’s clear I’m not the only one swooning. If you’re still waiting for a branch to open up near you, don’t worry, there’s more than just eye candy on offer here! Blue Sake Sushi Grill was kind enough to offer the secret formula for their incomparable Brussels sprouts. If you’re the jealous type, though, be careful who you share them with; anyone could easily fall head over hills for this hot dish.

Yield: Makes 4 - 6 Servings

Miso-Yuzu Brussels Sprouts

Immaculately crisp, almost translucent leaves and tender, buttery interiors define the best fried Brussels sprouts, but these take it to the next level. Slathered in zesty, savory, and subtly sweet yuzu-miso sauce, they're impossible to resist.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

Crispy Brussels Sprouts

• 2 Cups Brussels Sprouts, Halved
• Oil for Deep-Frying
• 1/4 Cup Miso-Yuzu Sauce (See Following Recipe
• 1/4 Cup Cashews, Toasted and Chopped
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Miso-Yuzu Sauce

• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Mirin
• 1 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon White Miso Paste
• 3/4 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Yuzu or Lemon Juice
• 1/2 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Instructions

1. Bring large pot of water to a boil. While water is coming to a boil, prepare Brussels sprouts by washing, trimming the bottom and cutting in half. Once water is boiling, place Brussels sprouts in water for approximately 90 seconds, until bright green. Remove and place in an ice bath to immediately stop the cooking process. Once cool, strain water and dry thoroughly with paper towel.
2. Meanwhile, to prepare the sauce, add mirin, sugar, miso and rice wine vinegar to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes. Remove from heat and place sauce in heat-proof container. Once cool, add yuzu and lemon zest, mixing well to incorporate.
3. Place in home deep fryer or deep pot of oil at 350 degrees and cook for two minutes, until light brown and crisp. Pull from fryer and place on paper towel to drain oil. Toss sprouts in bowl with salt and sauce; transfer to a plate and top with cashews.

Notes

Recipe reprinted with permission by Blue Sake Sushi Grill.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  Organic Seasoned Rice Vinegar Dressing
• 
  Mirin Cooking Rice Wine
• 
  Organic Sprouted Cashews, No Added Salt

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

6

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 107Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 766mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.

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