Pomegranate passion. For me it started at an early age when I pilfered one from a neighbor’s yard, a beauty found on the ground under the tree. It was cracked and revealed 2 or 3 rows of glistening crimson seeds. Years later I apologized to the owners for the larceny. Grinning, they accepted by tearful confession, telling me I wasn’t the only kid in the neighborhood with a yen for snatched pomegranates.
Sweet, yet tart. The juicy seeds, often labeled “arils,” cluster together on thin yellow membranes. They glimmer like ruby-red, crystal prisms.
Some folks avoid them. Too messy, they say. Leave stubborn stains on clothes, teeth, and hands.
Here’s the easy, no mess underwater technique:
Removing Seeds Under Water: Put paper towel under pomegranate and cut it into quarters. Fill a medium bowl with cold water. Hold a pomegranate quarter under the water, seed-side down. Pull edges back, exposing seeds. Most of the seeds will pop out. Run fingers over seeds that are sticking to membranes. Turn it over, still holding under water, and pick out any remaining seeds. The water prevents any splatters or drips. Seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl and small membranes pieces will float to the top. Discard membranes (they’re bitter) and drain seeds. Pat dry with a paper towel. Store seeds (that have been patted dry) in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze, airtight, for up to 2 months.
Ah, Cosmos with a twist. Cookbook author Ina Garten recommends using Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice in her adapted Cosmopolitan recipe. I agree. The fresh juice is stocked in the refrigerated case next to the produce section in my local supermarket (not in the canned juice section). So which vodka does she classify as good? Her pick is either Stolichnaya or Finlandia. End of intro
Pomegranate Cosmos
Yield: 6 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups (16 ounces) good vodka
1 cup (8 ounces) orange liqueur, such as Cointreau
1 cup (8 ounces) pomegranate juice, such as Pom Wonderful
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
Garnish: lime peel strips or thin lime slices
PROCEDURE
1. Freeze martini glasses.
2. Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour the cold mixture into frozen martini glasses. Garnish with a twist of lime peel or thin lime slices and serve immediately.
Source: Ina Garten, Food Network
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