Monday, November 24, 2008

Culinary Corner - Pomegranates

I've always loved pomegranates, but haven't purchased them for a while because I didn't like the time it takes and the mess of getting the seeds out. . . I learned a new trick last Thanksgiving that I thought I would share that is quick and easy.


Slice your pomegranate in half.

Get a medium size bowl ready. Over the bowl, hold the half upside down in your hand and with a wooden mallet, tap on the top of the pomegranate.


The seeds will fall out into the bowl . . . and voila! you are finished and ready to use the pomegranates in your recipe!

Apple and Pomegranate Salad
1 bunch of mixed salad greens
2-3 apples, diced or thinly sliced (gala or honeycrisp are excellent)
seeds from one pomegranate
1-2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 cup slivered almonds, caramalized

To caramalize almonds:
In a heavy skillet heat 3-4 Tablespoons sugar until it is a very light brown. Add almonds, turn to coat. Place on wax paper and break apart when cool.
Mix salad ingredients and toss with dressing just before serving.

Dressing:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoons diced red onion
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup canola oil
1 Tablespoon poppy seeds.
In a blender or food processor, mix sugar, lemon juice, onion, mustard, and salt and process until well blended. With the machine still running, slowly add oil in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds and mix. Refrigerate. Pour over salad and toss just before serving.

2 comments:

Tiffany Whitelaw said...

Best trick ever!

Jesse said...

Yummy! That salad sounds great. AND, I too have always had a love/hate relationship with pomegranates. (Love eating them, hate getting the seeds dislodged) I will have to try this.