Wheat Berry and Pomegranate Salad

A few years ago it was very difficult to find Pomegranate Molasses.  In general people didn't even know what it was.  I would ask people about it but no one had heard of it.  I know if I had asked someone who's origins were of the Middle East, they would definitely have known what it was as it is used in Middle Eastern cuisine.  So, last year, I boiled down my pomegranate juice.  It took a painstakingly long time. Of course the final product was worth it but it took precious time and attention.  

Now, the good people at POM* have come out with Pomegranate concentrate.  Wahoo.  Easy to find as POM seems to be everywhere.  Convenient.  No boiling needed.  What could be simpler?

If you are familiar with wheat berries than you probably understand how awesome they are.  Packed with nutritional benefits, they are also tasty and nutty! I know this salad would be even more awesome with fresh vegetables.  Standing alone it is also quite delicious.

Stay tuned for more pomegranate recipes this week.

Wheat Berry and Pomegranate Salad

1 cup of wheat berries

3 cups water

1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons POMegranate concentrate

4 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup pistachios

Boil wheat berries in water for about 45 minutes.   Add in salt towards the end of the cooking process. Let site covered for about 15 minutes.  Meanwhile in another bowl combine POM concentrate, olive oil and green onions.  Pour the wheat berries into the mixture and stir.  Sprinkle pistachios over top. Serve warm or cold.

*Full Disclosure:  The people at POM have graciously given me a bottle of POMegranate concentrate to review. No other compensation provided.

POM-a-licious

The good people of Pom sent me a note and asked if I would like to review their product. I so willingly agreed. Why? Because I already liked POM. I can easily sing it's praises. It would also mean that they would be sending me a little stash of their liquid loveliness and I could create some POM recipes.

I already have made a few things and want to make a few more. So there will be more POM recipes coming next week.

The first thing that I made because I have been wanting to make it for some time now is a Pomegranate Martini. My inspiration came from Oprah's recipe but I will call this one my own because it is quite a bit differenet.

Now, you may be asking why I would take a healthy product (shown to be good for cardiovascular health, erectile function *yup* and prostate health) and add unhealthy alcohol to it. And I would like to say in reply, "cause I can, this is my blog". But no, what I will say is that an occassional moderate drink is actually good for you, I think, anyhow. It relaxes you and relaxing is very good for your body. Relying on drinks to relax all the time is probably not a very good idea but once in a while, why not?

Lori's Pom-etini
Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness

1 cup Pom juice
3 ounces vodka
2 ounces Grand Marnier
2 ounces simple syrup
spritz of lemon

Shake all ingredients together in a shaker with ice. Pour into 4 glasses- if you are really feeling indulgent, pour into two glasses.

Now, here is the redemption for my wicked ways - stuffed delicata squash.

Delicata Stuffed with Thai Sticky Rice, drizzled with Pomegranate Syrup
Lori's Lipsmacking Goodness

1 cup uncooked Thai Sticky Rice
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ginger
2 cups water
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 Delicata squash, cut in half length wise with seeds scraped out and discarded
1/4 cup dried golden currants
1/4 cup walnuts chopped
salt and pepper to taste

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan saute dry rice in the vegetable oil. When the rice becomes slightly fragrant add spices, stir one minute more. Add water, place cover on pot quickly because it will spit and sputter violently. Remove lid and bring to a boil. Replace lid and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Rice will take approximately 45 minutes.

While rice is cooking, place delicata squash cut side down on a cookie sheet and roast in a 425 F oven.

When rice is done combine 1 1/2 cups of it with the walnuts, s and p and dried currants. Turn delicata over, cut side up and spoon rice mixture into squash and return the squash to the oven. Bake for another five minutes or so.

Drizzle with Pomegranate syrup* and serve.

*Pomegranate syrup: combine 2 cups POM juice with 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1/3 cup sugar. Boil and reduce to half.

If you want get really crazy I have to say that POM is wonderful in icing. It balances out the sugar with its nice twang. I did that here with Pomegranate Petit Fours. Since then I have become quite adept at cleaning them.

If you would like to find out more about the potential health benefits of Pom, check it out here.