Power to the Pomegranate
While the chillier weather may steal away some favorite summer fruits and veggies, it also delivers a brilliantly-colored array of produce. Fresh pomegranates are in season from September to January, packing a full load of nutrients and health benefits. Try them out in some of our favorite pomegranate recipes.
Our Beef Filets with Pomegranate-Pinot Sauce is a rich and elegant 5-star recipe that will impress any dinner guest. Pomegranate seeds make a pretty garnish (if you want to save time, look for convenient, ready-to-eat seeds in the produce section). Serve with roasted potatoes for a complete meal.
Pomegranate Paloma
Classic palomas call for grapefruit soda. Here, we use fresh grapefruit juice for a fruit-flavored beverage with less sugar and more vitamin C. Pomegranate juice boosts fruity flavor and packs a punch of heart-healthy polyphenols.
Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Pomegranate and Pine Nuts
To really jazz up your healthy holiday spread, bring a whole roasted cauliflower to the table, and then "carve" and dress it with a light vinaigrette, pomegranate arils, pine nuts, and parsley. Pomegranate adds a refreshing dose of natural sweetness for minimal added sugar.
Pomegranate-Orange Tart with Pistachio Shortbread Crust
A handful of blueberries boosts the color of the filling and deliver irresistible sweetness.
Curried Chicken Thighs with Pomegranate-Mint Sauce
Talk about a company-worthy meal without much effort or a hefty price tag. Serve this easy and elegant entrée over a bed of couscous and with a side of the Steamed Broccoli with Garlic and Red Onion.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Pomegranate and Tahini
Pomegranate seeds and tahini paste deliver delightful Mediterranean flavors in this quick winter side. Bonus: each serving, about a half cup only contains 152 calories.
Spiralized Butternut Squash Toast with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate Seeds
Toasted bread is a great vehicle to get veggies and protein-packed ingredients, from avocado to almond butter, into your diet. Spiralizing butternut squash makes it easy to top toast, and paired with creamy goat cheese and fresh pomegranate seeds, it makes for a supreme salty-sweet combination. Feel free to substitute whole grain bread or sprouted breads for another option.
Pomegranate and Pear Jam
Be sure to make extra batches to give as gifts to your friends.
Winter Citrus, Escarole, and Endive Salad
This bright, fresh salad of winter greens and sweet-tangy citrus is studded with red pomegranate arils: It's a dramatic, holiday-worthy plate and a welcome course for vegetarians.
Pear and Pomegranate Bellini
Raise your glass to good friends and family while knocking back this fruity holiday cocktail.
Pomegranate-Orange Salsa
This beautiful citrus salad is an excellent complement to chicken or white, flaky fish. You can also serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips.
Kale and Pomegranate Salad
Balancing hearty bites of kale and sweet notes of pomegranate, this salad is a flavorful, seasonal way to kick off a holiday meal. Packed with vitamins, and nutrients, kale and pomegranates are both superfoods that make for a wholesome, healthy salad. This starter is colorful and crowd-approved, making it the obvious option for your next hosting gig.
Roast Lamb with Pomegranate Sauce
Although it's budget-friendly, this dish is elegant enough for company. Serve with steamed fresh green beans.
Pomegranate-Farro Breakfast Salad with Honey Ricotta
Farro, an ancient whole grain similar to quinoa, packs a hearty crunch in this simple breakfast salad. Honey adds a bright, sweetness to play wonderfully with the creamy ricotta cheese. For a tangier citrus flavor, go with lemon; for more floral, sweet notes, try tangerine. To keep prep simple, use purchased pomegranate arils from the produce section, or pre-prep a fresh pomegranate the night before.
Sparkling Pomegranate Cocktail
The fruit's polyphenols, a class of antioxidants, likely help your heart. They contribute to the vibrant flavor, too.
Roasted Eggplant with Pomegranate, Pickled Chiles, and Pecans
Eggplant is a staple in the Middle East, and they sure do know how to cook it. It's stellar: smoky and light and not at all bitter. The trick is to cook it whole over a gas stovetop burner or on a hot grill. The outside gets all charred as the inside steams, gathering a nice smoky overtone and becoming perfectly cooked. Toasted pecans and pickled jalapeños infuse some Southern accents into the traditional dish. If you can't find pomegranate arils (they come already "shucked" in the produce section), just omit them, or drizzle on a wee bit of pomegranate molasses.
Chicken with Turnips and Pomegranate Sauce
This comforting, winter dish makes use of delicious pomegranate in two ways: The juice goes into the sauce and the arils, or seeds, go atop the chicken for an elegant touch. One taste, and you know exactly what season it is. The roasted chicken, earthy rice, and peppery turnips are classic comforts, but it's the fruity pomegranate sauce that makes the dish sing. Family friendly and crazy easy to make, this is a chicken dinner you're going to want to add to your weekly rotation.
Pomegranate Gin Sling
A classic gin sling is dressed for festive parties when made with seasonal pomegranate juice and decorated with crimson pomegranate fruit. Both simple syrup and agave syrup are widely available at liquor stores. To make your own simple syrup, boil 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, stirring just until sugar dissolves; reduce until thickened. Cool before using.
Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothie
Antioxidants found in both blueberries and pomegranates can help your body fight aging, cancer, and heart disease.
Moroccan Roasted Pomegranate Chicken
The most common variety of pomegranate is called Wonderful—and that's only fitting. Experience the true magic of these crunchy-tart jewels when paired with a delicious roasted chicken.
Pork Medallions with Pomegranate-Cherry Sauce
Red wine, pomegranate, cherries, and balsamic give a rich, sweet, seasonal tang to the comforting flavor of pan-seared pork.
Pomegranate Fizz
With only three ingredients plus an optional lime garnish, this sophisticated-looking drink is as simple as they come.
Acorn Squash with Pomegranate and Kale Tabbouleh
This is a fun dish to "carve" at the table, as each person gets one wedge to enjoy as a side dish. For an entrée take, give each person half a squash.
Garlicky Turnip Fries with Pomegranate Ketchup
It's turnip time! Take advantage of peak season, and serve up this delicious app.
Winter Jeweled Fruit Salad
In Mexico, copas de frutas (fruit cups) are popular street food. They typically consist of fresh fruit sprinkled with lime juice and chili powder and are the inspiration for this jewel-colored fruit salad. Jicama (pronounced HEE-kah-mah), also known as a Mexican potato or turnip, tastes like a cross between an apple and a potato and adds crunch to the salad.
Warm Spiced Cran-Pom Toddies
For a nonalcoholic version, simply omit the rum; to make it sweeter, replace the rum with apple juice.
Fennel-Rubbed Pork with Shallot-Pomegranate Reduction
This simple quick-to-fix meal will fit your hectic work schedule or busy home life. Serve with walnut couscous.
Pomegranate-Rosemary Royale
This simple twist on the traditional kir royale blends tart-sweet pomegranate juice with subtle herbal notes from a rosemary-infused syrup. Float rosemary leaves on the drinks for a pretty garnish.
Pork with Pomegranate Pan Sauce
This vibrant dinner can be on the table in just 20 minutes. Serve the pork with our Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes. To make the potatoes, prepare 1 (20-ounce) package refrigerated mashed potatoes according to package directions. Stir in 2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream. Top each serving with 1 teaspoon butter and ½ teaspoon minced fresh chives.
Pomegranate Cocktail
Blood orange and pomegranate collaborate into a fashionably refreshing cocktail. Garnish with a lime twist, if desired.
