Pomegranate Juice Recipes

Pomegranates are grown in India, many countries in the Middle East, southern Europe and California. Research studies have revealed several health benefits of pomegranate. It has rich content of antioxidants that are useful in providing protection to our body cells. It also prevents unwanted clotting of blood. Thus, it improves heart health and prevents the risk of many heart related diseases.

The recipes that are given here need fresh pomegranate juice. Preparation of fresh pomegranate juice is quite an easy task. Cut a pomegranate into half and juice them with the help of a citrus reamer or juicer. The juice thus obtained need to be strained through a cheesecloth-lined strainer and the juice is ready. Normally, to get one cup of pomegranate juice, 2-3 large sized pomegranates are required.

French Green Beans with Pomegranate Juice, Goat Cheese and Almonds

Requirements

• 6 cups of fresh green beans, with stems removed and cut into pieces of 1-inch
• ⅓ cup of pomegranate juice
• ½ cup sliced goat cheese
• ½ cup of sliced almonds
• 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup of pomegranate arils
• 1 teaspoonful of grated lemon or orange peel
• Salt and pepper

Procedure

Make ⅓ cup of fresh pomegranate juice as per the method mentioned above. Heat oil in a wok, add the fresh beans, then add the grated lemon peels and fry them for around 6 minutes. Now add the sliced almonds into the fried beans and cook till the beans become crispy and tender. Remove the pan from over the heat and add salt and pepper into the fried beans. Then put the pomegranate arils that was kept aside into the pan and toss the beans. Now your food is ready to serve. Just place it on a platter and garnish with the slices of goat cheese on the top.

Persian Chicken in POM Walnut Sauce

Requirements

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1⅓ cups of chicken broth
• 1 cup of freshly prepared pomegranate juice
• ¼ cup of pomegranate arils
• 1½ cups half-slices of red onion
• 1 piece of double-thick cheesecloth of size 4x4-inch
• 1½ cups of coarsely chopped walnuts
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon of molasses
• 2 tablespoons of olive or vegetable oil
• Hot cooked couscous or rice
• Salt and Pepper as per your taste

For Garnishing

• ½ cup of pomegranate arils
• Chopped parsley

Procedure

Take a blender or food processor and and add into it - fresh pomegranate juice, ⅓ cup of chicken broth, walnuts, ground cinnamon, pepper and salt. Cover it and process the ingredients for around 10 seconds, You get the walnut sauce. Add molasses to the remaining one cup of the broth and stir it well and keep it aside. Put ¼ cup of pomegranate arils on the cheesecloth and wrap it up and tie it with a kitchen string to form a bag. Next, take each piece of chicken and roll it over the flour in such a manner that a thick coat is formed on the surface of the chicken. Heat oil in a deep bottom nonstick pan and fry the chicken pieces one by one in hot oil till they turn golden brown from all sides. Drain the extra oil. Place all the fried chicken pieces back into the pan and add the walnut sauce that you made, the onion slices and arils with the cheese bag. Once it comes to boil, cover the pan and allow it to simmer at a low heat for about 20 minutes. Then uncover the pan and simmer it for another 10-15 minutes till the pink color of the chicken vanishes and the sauce get its desired consistency. During this process, keep stirring it from time to time. Remove the cheesecloth bag before serving. Serve the chicken along with the sauce on couscous and garnish with fresh arils and chopped parsley.

Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad with Crisp Prosciutto and Mustard Dressing

Requirements

• 2 cups of cauliflower florets
• 2 cups of broccoli florets
• ½ cup of prosciutto, sliced into ½-inch strips
• ½ cup of chopped red onion
• 1 cup of pomegranate arils
• 1 cup of freshly prepared pomegranate juice
• ½ cup of plain yogurt
• ½ cup of light mayonnaise
• 1 cup of seedless grapes cut into halves
• ½ cup raisins
• 3 tablespoons of basil strips
• 2 tablespoons of whole grain mustard
• 1 tablespoon of granulate sugar
• Salt and pepper as per your taste

Procedure

Take a large bowl and put all the broccoli and cauliflower florets, chopped onions, grapes, raisins and fresh basil into it and toss them well. In another small bowl, pour the yogurt, mayonnaise, pomegranate juice, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper and nicely whip the mixture and your dressing is ready. Pour this dressing over the broccoli and cauliflower salad and stir it well. Now place the prosciutto strips on a nonstick skillet and cook it on a moderate heat till it turns crispy. Add the prosciutto strips and pomegranate arils over the salad and it is ready to eat.

These pomegranate juice recipes have retained the nutritional values of the pomegranate juice and therefore are healthy to eat. Hope you will enjoy these sumptuous foods with your friends and family.