Pomegranate Splash!

I don’t know about you, but the change to Daylight Saving Time has to be one of the hardest things to get your body adjusted to!  I am seriously not myself for a good week or more while my biorhythms get into the new order of things, and my poor little boy is experiencing the same difficulty.  So what to do when you need to get everyone off to work and school but you’re over tired and moving slowly?  Sitting down for breakfast is nearly impossible unless you can get away with going to work in your pj’s (in my dreams!).  Since I was awake last night, when I should have been in bed (my body still thinks it’s an hour earlier of course), I decided that planning ahead for the next morning was in order… based on what I had on hand in the fridge, freezer and pantry, a smoothie looked to be my best course of action.

Nothing beats the fresh taste of a smoothie and there isn’t any better way to pack  a  full load of nutrition in a quick and easy breakfast than with yogurt, berries and a little pomegranate  — And bonus,  it can move around with you while you get ready!  Try this one on for size, you won’t be disappointed!

Sherea

Pomegranate Berry Smoothie

1 C  Low Fat or Fat Free  Vanilla (or Plain) Yogurt

1 C  fresh or frozen berries of choice (I like the mixed frozen berries for a full flavenoid and antioxidant boost)

1 banana (optional – it makes the smoothie a little thicker which may or may not suit your taste)

1 tbs     pomegranate reduction sauce***

1.     Place all ingredients in a blender and blend together until smooth.

2.     Serve in a tall glass with a straw!  How’s that for easy!!

Servings: 2

Cooking Tips

*** Stir in  1Tbs of Flax Seed oil (cold pressed) after blending for the added benefits of healthy Omega-3’s!
***This and similar items can be found at www.clubsauce.com.  Consider using blueberry merlot, black currant cabernet, tart cherry syrah, or pomegranate port as additional compliments to this dish. (The alcohol has been cooked out during the reduction process)

My dear friend Melanie is playing hostess to the elite at her husband’s company.   It’s going to be a simple affair at their home with basic hors d’oeuvres and cocktails.  Though it’s not really a theme night, it is a smaller group of executives and their spouses and Melanie wants to have a feature cocktail for the evening rather than just the basics of wine and beer.  So she calls me…

I brush off my mix-ology license, (yes I really do have one, though didn’t get to use it much in my bar-tending days… there just isn’t much “mixing” involved in drawing beer); pull out my Rolodex of drink recipes and my Mr. Boston’s and start thinking new, fresh and outside the libation box.

We sat down together and had our own little tasting party… loads of fun, if not the most productive use of our time!   I pulled a lot of drink ideas out of the hat, and we narrowed it down to the types of alcohol she was considering using and then revamped some traditional recipes to freshen things up.  Mel definitely wants to utilize the beautiful color of pomegranate juices, but since they can be a little on the pricey side especially when needing to make more than just a couple of drinks, I suggested we start playing with some pomegranate reduction sauces.  Using a reduced amount not only gives the color she is looking for but intensifies the flavor so a little goes a long way.  She also wants to incorporate berries to compliment the cheeses and fresh fruit she has already selected for part of her food offerings.

Here is the recipe we both agreed was the perfect cocktail for her party…

Cheers!

Sherea

Blueberry Splash! Martini

2 1/2 oz  vodka
1 tsp       Splash! Blueberry Merlot Reduction***
3-4         ice cubes
1/4         fresh lime slice
twist of lime peel
bar sugar
3           fresh or frozen blueberries per drink

1.     Take the slice of lime and place it on the glass rim. Slide the lime completely around the rim of the glass making sure the rim is wet with lime juice and then remove. Dip the glass rim into the bar sugar and set aside.
2.     Place ice cubes in the shaker, add the vodka, and the blueberry merlot reduction. Cap the shaker and shake for 15 to 20 seconds until well mixed.
3.     Pour the drink into the prepared martini glass. Lightly squeeze 3 blueberries into the martini for added juice and then drop in the blueberries. Add the lime twist and serve.

Servings: 1

Cooking Tips
***This item is available at the www.clubsauce.com website.

Cranberry Sauce with Pomegranate Splash!

Home made cranberry sauce is the best and lends itself to so many variations so you can personalize your own sauce. This luscious cranberry sauce includes one of our very own favorites, Pomegranate Splash!, a pomegranate sauce made with pomegranate and port wine. You can also use any one of these pomegranate based sauces to create your own signature sauce. Try blueberry merlot, black currant cabernet, or tart cherry syrah for added flavor.

1/2 cup sugar
1 cup water
4 cups fresh or one 12 oz package frozen cranberries
2 tbs Pomegranate Splash!

1 If using fresh cranberries be sure to rinse and pick them over to be sure they are clean and firm. Frozen cranberries need not be thawed before use.
2 Bring water to a boil on the stove top and add sugar, stir and completely dissolve.
3 Add cranberries to the pot and return to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes or until the cranberries burst.
4 Add any additional ingredients such as blueberries, currants, or spices as mentioned above. Continue to cook for two minutes. Add the Pomegranate Splash! and stir.
5 Remove the pan from the heat and allow to cool and thicken. You can make the sauce a day before serving and store in the refrigerator for several more days to use as desired.

Servings: 10

Cooking Tips
Because cranberries blend with a variety of fun and flavorful ingredients we though we would include a few here to stimulate the imagination. you can add a variety of the following: 1/2 tsp each of orange zest and lemon zest, 1/2 cup black currants or raisins, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/4 pomegranate seeds, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice. There are many, many more but these will get you on a path to a delicious cranberry sauce you can call your very own.

Where to buy:Pomegranate Splash! can be purchased online at Club Sauce or Whole Foods and other specialty and gourmet stores.