Pantry Tips How to open a Pomegranate

While of course, there are many ways to open a pomegranate, as a connoisseur of the gorgeous fruit, I feel compelled to share with you what I think it the best method in Pantry Tips How to open a Pomegranate. After all, I’ve open hundreds of them lots and lots of ways over the years and while there are many ways and they each have their merits, for me, this way combines stain prevention for your fingers, speed, preserving the most fruit, and minimizing mess. Once you master Pantry Tips How to open a Pomegranate you’ll find yourself buying the fruits more often and hastening to add it to salads (like my cous cous with pomegranates), drinks (like my pomegranate martini punch, which is perfect for New Year’s by the way) and desserts for garnish. And if you’re really like me, you’ll find yourself prepping a whole bowl full and eating the tiny red jewels with a spoon. First, with a pairing knife, cut the top and bottom off of the fruit. Then, cut along the five dents in the outer skin. You should be in the troughs, rather than the ridges. Cut all the way to the top and … Continue reading

Pomegranate Martini Punch

In the spirit of encouraging you to get to really know me, we should probably start with a cocktail… This particular cocktail has a long and sordid history in my own kitchen. And if you message me privately, I’ll tell you the story of its real name. I tend to pour with a heavy hand so you will notice a range of ratios available in the ingredients list. The drink will taste wonderfully within this range no matter how you pour it, but if you want to end the evening with a dance party, take the upper range, if you’ve got an early morning, opt for the lower end. 750 mL champagne or other sparkling wine 8 oz pomegranate juice if it is pure/concentrated (12-16 oz if you use a blend or cocktail) 4-6 oz vodka (and don’t you dare buy expensive vodka!) 4-6 oz triple sec (more if you like it sweeter) some lime juice (2 limes) serve in a highball or a wine or champagne glass with an icecube thrifty alteration: 1 liter club soda 1 liter sprite (use a diet soda – you won’t notice the difference and few calories) 8 oz pomegranate juice if it is … Continue reading

Persian Love Cake

At the end of the Middle Eastern Feast Dinner Party, after you’ve enjoyed a spicy Ginger Rogers cocktail and a meal full of rich and bright flavors, you’ll need a dessert that can hold its own. This Persian Love Cake does the trick. I certainly didn’t invent this one, but I definitely claim to have made a few improvements to the original. Here, the chemistry remains largely unaltered, but the flavor has more depth and the rose is more pronounced. Also, I simplify the decorations. A scattering of pomegranate seeds is sufficient. When I have time, I sometimes candy some of the geranium leaves you’ll notice throughout my recipes or ask my florist to order organic roses that I can scatter over the cake, but let’s be honest, that isn’t all that realistic, and the Persian Love Cake is dramatic and gorgeous all on its own.   … Continue reading