Apples and Pomegranates and Kitchen Destruction

I still do not have a functioning kitchen. Frustration simmers. Technically, they're done with the repairs, but they left such a mess behind, that I'll be cleaning plaster dust for the foreseeable future. 

Since the chicken marsala and tortellini last week, I've had brisket, pulled pork, eggplant parmegiana and pizza. It was all delicious, but I'm craving squash and apple desserts and all things autumn. So rather than just share boring photos of takeout, I'm resurrecting this delicious recipe from 4 years ago.

Apple Pomegranate Crumble

You know how in the story of Adam and Eve, tradition has it that Eve offered Adam a taste of an apple - the fruit of life?

I confess, I've often wondered how they're so sure it was an apple. In mythology, the pomegranate was the symbol of life And pomegranates have SO many health benefits. It just makes sense she gave him a pom. But I digress.

Years ago my daughter dressed as Persephone for a 2nd grade mythology project. I remember identifying with Demeter and thinking how awful it would be to lose your daughter to the underworld for half the year.

Which brings us to this dessert.

That same daughter[ (26 now) edited - she's 30 now] worked with me to make this recipe for Thanksgiving dessert.
I can't claim any credit for the recipe - just for having the good sense to pass it on to you.

You can find the entire recipe here - Autumn Apple and Pomegranate Crumble

I'm going to lead with the finished product to show you how delicious it looks (although you can just click that link and see Kate (with a K's) pictures.

This was ours -

The delicious topping kind of covers all the inside yumminess, so let me show you some of the ingredient steps.

Now I'm craving apples and pomegranates. Maybe when I have use of my kitchen again.

A New Year's Toast

Okay, admit it, you were probably thinking something like this -

But I had something different in mind.

Start with some blanched, frozen kale (or spinach) and coconut water (or tap water).

Add some blueberries, beets, and maybe some pomegranate arils, maybe some flax or hemp.

Pulse.

Enjoy!

I can hear some of you moaning now, but I honestly love this.

I'll tell you a funny story.

In the past few months, I've had numerous people tell me how great I look.

*not bragging here* Bear with me.

One thing you all know is that the last year was not an easy one. Haggard is how I'd describe my look most days! But after hearing this compliment a few times, I looked in the mirror - and tried to see beyond the hag staring back.

Truth was, my skin was kind of glowing. I attribute that to the kale. Seriously.

Honestly, my default meal always used to be cookies or cake, but this old body can't handle that anymore. I've learned that I actually really like these smoothies.


So, how about it, are you willing to give it a try?
The blueberries are great for your memory!

Snow and Cold and Gloom vs. Sweet Potato Pomegranate Goodness

I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe here before. I really thought I did. It's sooooo delicious.
So, since pomegranate season is drawing to a close, today seems like the perfect time.

But first -

Just because it's been so gloomy and cold and I stumbled across these photos while I was looking for my sweet potato - pomegranate bake;

Spring will eventually come back.

And then summer. Ahhhhh, the warmth.

Early morning waves.

Okay, back to reality.
Snow. Cold. Gloom.

Maybe a touch of sun.

We can hope.

But in the meantime, does all that cold have you craving citrus?

Here's a great filling side dish that is sooooo good. Did I say that already.

My daughter found the recipe several years ago on this website - Keepin' It Kind.
I wouldn't want to steal credit for her recipe, so I'll just show you two quick photos of our batch in progress and then refer you  back to her for the glorious finished photos.

Ingredients:
 three large sweet potatoes cut into medallions, pomegranate arils, orange juice, maple syrup, sea salt, chopped pecans, coconut sugar or brown sugar, and ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg.

You may notice in the picture that my daughter chose an assortment of colored sweet potatoes. Who knew there were purple ones?

 Sprinkle with pomegranate arils and shopped pecans.

Bake.

Enjoy.

Okay, go on over to the site and look at the glorious after photos taken by her husband. Pomegranate Orange Sweet Potato Bake.   Kristy tells a lovely story too about getting recipes from her grandma. I love family stories like this, so I was sold even before I tasted the deliciousness.

But please come back. I'll give you more summer waves and flowers.

Fenway loves the beach.

So, how are you dealing with the cold? Snuggled up with a good book? So many releases this month - Jan's released yesterday and Ruthy has one on the shelf too.


















I spent a cozy weekend snuggled in on the sofa with the cute dog, hot tea, scones and a great story. It was perfectly fitting for the snowy cold weather.

So help yourself to a cup of coffee or tea and let's chat.

Apples and Pomegranates

You know how in the story of Adam and Eve, tradition has it that Eve offered Adam a taste of an apple - the fruit of life?

I confess, I've often wondered how they're so sure it was an apple. In mythology, the pomegranate was the symbol of life And pomegranates have SO many health benefits (see below).

Years ago my daughter dressed as Persephone for a 2nd grade mythology project. I remember identifying with Demeter and thinking how awful it would be to lose your daughter to the underworld for half the year.

Which brings us to this dessert.

Since we just passed the equinox and are now officially in winter (even if the Christmas weather report looks like we're in the tropics!), it seems a good time to enjoy both apples and pomegranates.

That same daughter (26 now) worked with me to make this recipe for Thanksgiving dessert. You may remember that the older daughter brought that blueberry pie with the cornbread crust.

I can't claim any credit for the recipe - just for having the good sense to pass it on to you.

You can find the entire recipe here - Autumn Apple and Pomegranate Crumble

I know I just reminded us it was winter and the recipe says autumn, but it's been that kind of a week. Stick with me please. :)

I'm going to lead with the finished product to show you how delicious it looks (although you can just click that link and see Kate (with a K's) pictures.

This was ours -

The delicious topping kind of covers all the inside yumminess, so let me show you some of the ingredient steps.

So, really, why eat pomegranates?

It's definitely a hassle to separate the arils from the membrane.

But if you need stress relief, here's one way. Seeding a pomegranate 

or watch

There's the underwater method,

 but I don't like losing all that wonderful juice in the water.

THIS shows my favored method (and it has nothing to do with the name of the site being ShowMeTheCurry  ;)  )

If you don’t remember the story about Persephone, Hades, and the pomegranate, you can refresh your memory here.



So why am I wondering about the pomegranate and Eden? Just read about all the wonderful reasons to eat this marvelous fruit or drink the juice.

The pomegranate is a nutrient dense food source rich in phytochemical compounds. Pomegranates contain high levels of flavonoids and polyphenols, potent antioxidants offering protection against heart disease and cancer. A glass of pomegranate juice has more antioxidants than red wine, green tea, blueberries, and cranberries.  From Dr. Fuhrman: How to Live for Life

I have to admit, I had no idea pomegranates were so incredibly healthy. Just read some of the other data Dr. Furhman identifies:

Amazing Clinical Results
This fantastic little fruit recently made its way back into the news after some spectacular clinical results. Here’s what you need to know:
Compounds found only in pomegranates called punicalagins are shown to benefit the heart and blood vessels. Punicalagins are the major component responsible for pomegranate’s antioxidant and health benefits. They not only lower cholesterol, but also lower blood pressure and increase the speed at which heart blockages (atherosclerosis) melt away.
Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only did study participants’ blood pressure lower by over 12 percent, but there was a 30 percent reduction in atherosclerotic plaque. Just as astounding, participants who did not take the pomegranate juice saw their atherosclerotic plaque increase by 9 percent.¹
In other studies, potent antioxidant compounds found in pomegranates have shown to reduce platelet aggregation and naturally lower blood pressure, factors that prevent both heart attacks and strokes.²

Some nutritional info:  They contain no fat, low sugar and only 80 calories per 100-gram serving, yet they offer 5 grams of fiber and 15 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.  Because it’s more concentrated, pomegranate juice is slightly higher in calories than whole seeds at 120 calories per 8-ounce serving. (From Thehealthbenefitsof.com)





I  have to admit, as much as I love pomegranates (and I really love the arils frozen), the season for getting really great ones is rather short. I've come to love drinking pomegranate juice in warm water as a tea substitute in the evenings.

Pomegranate Glazed Salmon

Sometimes sheer boredom can inspire you.

My husband was having chicken for supper, but I don't eat chicken.

I have a freezer full of frozen wild salmon though,  and I'd just read another article on how healthy wild salmon is - this time because it contains something called astaxanthin.

I poached the salmon, but none of the tried and true fallbacks interested me. (It was THAT kind of a day.)

Then I remembered some pomegranate seeds I had. I was so excited to see the first domestic pomegranates showing up in the supermarket that I'd bought one even though I knew it was probably too early. It was. The arils looked lovely, but they had zero taste.

So - how about making a pomegranate glaze for my salmon?

It seemed a way to use both ingredients without wasting anything.

I always have pomegranate juice on hand because I like to add it to mineral water. (If you didn't know, pomegranate juice is very heart healthy.)

I poured some of that into a saucepan, added some butter (about a tablespoon)

and once the butter had melted, I added those flavorless arils.

Oh my stars!!!!!!!!

Heavenly!!!!! And it took mere minutes to prepare.


The butter blended in with the juice for just the tastiest sauce.


I intended to put it all on a bed of greens, but I put it in a bowl instead so I could eat it with a spoon and not miss any of the sauce. 

Confession time - I'm not sure this was the best taste match for the salmon. It wasn't bad (and it did grow on me).  I just think it probably would have gone better with steak. But oh that sauce was delicious.

I don't usually do shameless plugs on here, but I'm SO very excited right now. If you are reading this, it will be less than 24 hours until the release of my debut Christmas in Hiding from Love Inspired Suspense. I've been so happy with the reviews so far and I'm just so delighted that people are finally going to get to meet Callie and Jackson.

Here's the cover -