The Pips of Pomegranates

Pomegranates are surely the sexiest of fruits. Not only do they historically symbolize fertility and rebirth but their actual physical being represents all things EROTIC: a leathery rind capped with a crown, a lucious interior of edible pink pulp, a personality that masochistically vacillates between sweet and sour, and a sassy slowly-untie-me outfit that requires a lot of work in order to get to the fruit inside. The best way to wrangle your way in is to cut off the crown and then cut the pomegranate into sections. Place the sections in a bowl of water, then roll out the arils with your fingers. Discard everything else. Strain out the water. Then open a bottle of slightly sparkling low sugar riesling (the Ontario Cave Spring label is very good) and feed the succulent arils whole, seeds and all, to a lover.

Pomegranates have such a lovely hue and rustic shape that they make perfect holiday decorations (edible decorations are my favourite kind!). Add them to vases of green berries, pine cones, holly and any other greenery. You can stand candles in this arrangement or gather it all around a bulb of an amaryllis.

Also, check out this wonderfully informative website with great recipe ideas and tantalizing photos!

Photo and recipe credit to POM wonderful pomegranates.

Pomegranate Salad Dressing

Juice from 1-2 large Pomegranates*,
1/3 cup of arils from 1 large Pomegranate
1/3 cup red or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons grated red or brown onion
1/2 teaspoon sugar, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate underwater to free the arils. The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the membrane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl.Prepare fresh pomegranate juice.* In a screw-top jar or plastic container with tight-fitting lid, combine juice, the 1/3 cup arils if using, and remaining dressing ingredients. Cover and shake well.Makes About 1 cup Dressing.

Comments

[Mats]

True - pomegrantantes = sex ; but, with a little less ahh... foreplay, pomeranate molassess is readily avaiable in TO. It really packs a punch and has to be used with care.
Merry Christmas Daphne

[Daphne]

Thanks Mats -- Merry Christmas back at you!

What do you use pomegranate molasses for? Sounds intriguing. Apparently pomegranates pack much more vitamins and whatever that stuff is in red wine and cranberry juice combined. Interesting. I like food that requires a bit of 'courting' to get to the goodies!

[Anita]

I've recently discovered Pomengranate molasses and the flavour is orgasm for the tastebuds. I put 1/2 teaspoon in a glass of lemonade. Mouthwatering.