Pomegranate is one of the healthiest and most valuable fruits. It is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements.
Pomegranate juice is especially useful. For the first time, residents of Central Asia began to use it. There, a legend arose that this fruit can replace the blood of wounded soldiers on the battlefield, and that only pomegranate juice can restore strength after a serious illness. Modern housewives can pamper their household members with a drink at any time. The ideal option is freshly prepared juice. You can do it yourself.
Pomegranate is one of the healthiest and most valuable fruits
General principles for preparing pomegranate preparations
The grains and juice of the fruit are used to prepare various desserts, salads, dressings and sauces. For long-term storage, for the winter, juice and various jams are traditionally prepared. Pomegranates are most common from mid-autumn to late January. Select fruits with bright, blemish-free skins and store them in a cool, dark place for up to 1 month or in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
In some stores you can purchase refined grains, from which it is much easier to prepare various dishes and preparations. When choosing fruit for various preparations, you should also choose the right variety.
Some types of pomegranate have a pronounced sour taste, while others are sweet:
Pomegranate variety | Appearance | Taste and type of grains |
Mangulati | Bright red, large fruits, rounded on the sides. | Large and very juicy grains with a sweet and sour taste. |
Achikanor | Light carmine, medium size, square shape. | The grains are medium-sized, dark red, sour with tart notes. |
Ak-Dona | Yellowish-red spotted fruits. | The grains are pink and distinctly sour. |
Nar-Shirin | Pink-beige large fruits. | Colorless or light pink large grains, sweet taste with slight sourness. |
Mollar de Elche | Very large fruits (up to 1 kg) pale red in color. | The grains are large and light, sweet, with very soft seeds. |
To extract grains from fruit yourself, you will need to do the following:
- Using a sharp knife, cut the fruit in half vertically. You need to carefully separate the halves into smaller sections. Bright red juice may begin to leak, so you should immediately wipe the work surface with warm water and soap. It is also advisable to wear an apron or work clothes as the grains may be sticky.
- Next, place the pomegranate parts in a bowl of water. You need to separate the grains from each section into water. They will sink to the bottom. Now you need to remove the peel and membranes that float to the surface.
- Then you need to drain the water through a colander or sieve to dry the grains. One medium pomegranate yields about 0.5 tbsp. product.
You can store the grains in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze them in a sealed container for up to 1 year.
Instructions
First you need to rinse the pomegranate under cold running water. Then dry it well and peel it. Now use your hands to separate the fruit into several parts, and then separate each berry from each other. Do not forget to clean it of all fibers and white films.
Pour the berries into a clean container. Preferably a saucepan or bowl. Now take gauze folded several times.
Pour a small amount of grains into gauze and grab it in your hand in the form of a bag, gradually squeezing. This must be done over a deep container so that the juice does not spray on the sides, but flows down the walls of the dish.
The juice must be squeezed out until there are no whole grains left in the gauze. To make everything work out more thoroughly, you need to squeeze it in small batches. Place the squeezed juice in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours. This must be done so that excess sediment sinks to the bottom and the juice becomes clean and transparent.
Therefore, after you take the juice out of the refrigerator, carefully strain it into another container through cheesecloth without shaking. If you want to make one glass of juice, take two medium pomegranates for this. But do not forget that drinking pomegranate juice undiluted is very dangerous. It contains a large amount of acids that can corrode the walls of the stomach.
You can add a couple of tablespoons of water to a glass of juice. If desired, you can stir in a couple of tablespoons of sugar.
That's it, the juice is ready to drink. Now, wondering how to squeeze juice from a pomegranate, you already know one simple way. Next, let's look at a couple more methods.
Classic pomegranate juice recipe
Homemade pomegranate juice is prepared in just a few minutes after cleansing the grains. You don't even need a special juicer or press for this. To prepare about 4 tbsp. juice, you will need 5-6 large pomegranates.
The whole process looks like this:
- Place the drained grains in a blender or food processor and blend or process until the consistency of a puree is obtained.
- The resulting mass must be transferred to a sieve placed over a deep container.
- Using the back of a spoon, mash the fruit pulp to release and strain the juice.
- Freshly squeezed juice is a must try. If it is made from sufficiently ripe fruit, no sweetener is needed. If it seems too tart or sour, you can gradually add sugar or any substitute to bring the product to the ideal level of sweetness.
- The finished juice can be stored in the refrigerator in a closed container for 5 to 6 days, or stored in airtight jars for the winter.
What to cook with pomegranate?
To make airtight preparations that can be stored at room temperature, you will need to follow these steps:
- Before you start squeezing juice, you should prepare the required number of 0.5-1 liter jars and reliable screw caps for them, place them in a container with warm water and boil. The container should be hot when you pour the juice into it.
- Next, you need to bring a large pot of water to a boil, placing a special stand on its bottom. The liquid level should be such as to cover the closed jars by 5 cm.
- The prepared juice should be poured into jars, leaving 7 mm of free space at the top, wipe their screw surface and screw the lids tightly.
- After this, you need to immerse the container in boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. (for 0.5 l) or 15 min. (for 1 l) and place upside down on a spread towel.
- Cooled jars need to be checked for leaks by pressing on the middle of the lid. If it does not deform or spring too much, the workpiece can be stored for up to a year at room temperature.
Storing the drink at home
Pomegranates ripen in late autumn. If the opportunity arises to purchase good, strong, ripe fruits, then they can be preserved until summer. There are basic rules for storing at home that must be followed:
- Choose ripe, strong pomegranates without scratches or damage.
- The temperature at the storage location should be from +1 to +10 degrees Celsius. This could be a cellar, basement, refrigerator.
- Humidity should be moderate to prevent the fruit from drying out and rotting.
- Wrap each pomegranate in thin paper.
- Place everything in low boxes.
- Cover with light-proof material.
In this state, fruits can be stored for two to three months.
There is another storage method:
- Mix a “mixture” of clay and water (the consistency should resemble liquid sour cream).
- Dip each fruit into the solution.
- Dry it a little.
- Arrange on shelves.
- Cover with a cloth.
There are basic rules for storing pomegranates and their juice.
Pomegranates are stored in a dry room for six months. Unripe fruits are suitable for this method. They will ripen on the shelf in a chatterbox.
It is not advisable to store freshly squeezed juice for a long time. It's better to drink it right away. But if there is a lot of it, then there is this way:
- Sterilize glass jars or bottles.
- Bring the juice to a boil.
- Pour into jars.
- Close the lid.
- Place in a water bath.
- Warm up for ten to fifteen minutes.
- Roll up the lids.
- Turn upside down.
- Leave overnight, cover with warm material (a down shawl will do).
In the morning the juice is ready for wintering.
Compote recipe for the winter
Making compote from pomegranate for the winter is not difficult. The drink can not only be drunk in its pure form, but also used as a base for many cocktails and punches.
What ingredients will you need?
For 1 liter of classic compote you will need:
- 4 tbsp. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice;
- 0.5 tbsp. Sahara;
- 1.5 tbsp. pomegranate seeds;
- 2 tbsp. l. lemon juice.
Step-by-step cooking process
To prepare 1 jar of pomegranate compote with a capacity of 1 liter, you will need to do the following:
- Heat the lemon and pomegranate juice and sugar to a boil in a large wide saucepan and stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Next, turn up the heat to maintain a low simmer and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the juice becomes thick and has reduced in volume by half.
- Then you need to put pomegranate seeds into the mixture and cook for another 5-7 minutes, then pour the compote into a hot liter jar and sterilize in a water bath for 15 minutes.
Pomegranate juice: how to squeeze without a juicer?
Preparing pomegranate juice yourself has a rich taste and healthy composition, unlike drinks with preservatives offered in stores. You can make natural pomegranate juice without a juicer at home using the following instructions.
- The first step is to select ripe fresh pomegranates and then wash them.
- Next, the pomegranate is carefully cut around the circumference and broken into 2 halves.
- All grains are pulled out from the fruit and placed in a blender.
- The pomegranate is then ground into a puree.
- The puree is transferred to a fine sieve placed on any convenient container and left until the juice has completely drained.
To make the juice drain faster, the puree must be stirred periodically.
There is another way to squeeze pomegranate juice:
- clean pomegranate is kneaded well with your hands so that its skin remains intact;
- if you can’t knead the fruit with your hands, you can roll it on the table, pressing on its skin with your hands;
- After crushed grains are felt under the skin, you need to make a hole in the fruit and then drain fresh juice through it.
It is worth considering that this method of squeezing the fruit will not allow you to squeeze out every grain.
Caution: tannin
Before you start peeling pomegranate, it is worth considering that it contains tannins, namely tannin. This substance is contained in the skin, films and partitions of the fruit.
When directly interacting with the skin, tannin contributes to the appearance of dark spots on the skin. Therefore, it is recommended to peel and squeeze pomegranates only while wearing cellophane or rubber gloves. This precaution will not only protect the skin of your hands from the appearance of unpleasant dark spots, but will also protect the nail plates from blackening.
If during the process of sedum pomegranate this precaution was not observed, it is recommended to wipe the darkened areas of the skin with a slice of lemon. Lemon juice will make the stains appear slightly lighter.
With peel
Pomegranate is literally loaded with antioxidants - it contains 3 times more than green tea. Thus, this fruit helps delay the signs of aging. In addition, pomegranate has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
In addition to grains and juice, fruit peels can be used. In dried form, it is added to various decoctions to relieve intestinal infections, and is also prepared with a large amount of spices and sugar syrup, resulting in something similar to oriental candied fruits.
To prepare pomegranate peel for these purposes, you will need to follow these steps:
- Wash the fruit and then wipe it with a clean cloth.
- After this, you should carefully remove the peel, cutting it into strips with a knife.
- Next, you need to place its slices on a plate, cover with gauze or a very thin cotton cloth (to avoid contamination) and place in direct sunlight.
- After 2 - 3 days, the peel will become completely dry and brittle. It is necessary to transfer it to an airtight container with a lid and store it in a dry place.
The drying process can also be performed in a dehydrator by setting its temperature to 50-60 degrees.
With fruits
When making jam, the same amount by weight of fruit and sugar is usually used. Despite the fact that the second product can hardly be called useful, it helps to preserve the workpiece. If you make jam without it, it will be stored for a very short time. That is why it is better to use a mixture of sugar and pectin, and combine sour fruits with sweet ones. For example, a good option would be pomegranate, plum and fig jam.
What ingredients will you need?
For this jam you need:
- 6 large figs (about 470 g);
- 250 g plums;
- grains of one medium-sized pomegranate (175 g/1 tbsp.);
- 375 g of gelling sugar (a mixture of sugar and pectin in a 2:1 ratio);
- 1 tsp. chopped lemon zest (optional);
- 0.5 tsp. vanilla (optional).
Step-by-step cooking process
You can prepare jam from pomegranate, figs and plums as follows:
- You need to cut the figs and plum pulp into cubes and put them in a saucepan.
- Place the pomegranate seeds in the bowl of a food processor and beat at low speed until all the juice comes out, and then pour it into the pan with the prepared fruit.
- Next, if desired, you can add lemon zest and vanillin.
- After this, pour a mixture of sugar and pectin into the pan, stir, boil and cook for 10 minutes, stirring from time to time.
- Meanwhile, sterilize a few jars in a large container of boiling water and transfer them to a kitchen towel just before the jam is ready.
- You need to fill the hot jars with the prepared jam and close the lids, turn the containers upside down for 5 minutes, then return them to their normal position and wait until they cool completely.
Replenishing stocks of ascorbic acid
By leading a healthy lifestyle and eating right, a person can significantly strengthen his natural defenses. There are many ways to have a beneficial effect on the immune system. For example, maintaining the level of vitamin C (in childhood we called it “ascorbic acid”).
It is known that low levels of this microelement in the body can negatively affect the state of the entire immune system. Drinking orange and pomegranate will allow you to replenish precious reserves without using special dosage forms.
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The drink is not only tasty, but also provides healthy dietary fiber. Suitable for those who are allergic to citric acid. It can be used by patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and polycystic ovary syndrome. In order for the “elixir” to retain its nutritional properties, it is important to follow the preparation rules.
With honey
Pomegranate can be made into a smooth jam with more honey and less sugar. This allows you to make a healthy and useful product that is fully related to healthy eating.
What ingredients will you need?
For a delicious pomegranate preparation with honey you will need:
- 500 g pomegranate seeds, peeled and membranes removed;
- 1 tbsp. natural honey;
- 3 tbsp. l. Sahara;
- 50-60 ml of water (optional).
If desired, you can add 2 cloves or 0.25 tsp. cardamom powder.
Step-by-step cooking process
- Place pomegranate seeds with water and sugar in a large container, let stand, stirring occasionally, until most of the sugar has dissolved.
- Next, you need to add honey to the pan and bring the mixture to a boil, remembering to stir occasionally.
- It takes about 20–30 minutes to cook the jam over medium heat, until the liquid begins to flow in thick and dense drops from the spoon. During the cooking process, remove the foam that collects on the surface.
- The finished product must be placed in clean jars, closed and cooled completely, then stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. If you sterilize them in a water bath, the shelf life will be increased to a year.
Pomegranate juice harm and contraindications
All food products have contraindications. They must be taken into account so as not to harm your health. Pomegranate drink also has contraindications.
- For peptic ulcers, inflammation of the mucous layer of the stomach wall, which is provoked and accompanied by hyperproduction of hydrochloric acid, a pomegranate drink is combined with fresh carrot juice. Do not use on an empty stomach.
- If you have pancreatitis, you should not drink pomegranate juice.
- Hypotension requires careful use of the pomegranate drink, no more than 150 g per day.
- If you have an allergy, you will have to refuse healthy fresh juice.
- A waiver will be required if you have constipation or hemorrhoids.
- After drinking fresh juice, you must rinse your mouth thoroughly so that tooth enamel is not destroyed due to the acids contained in it. Drinking through a cocktail straw will soften the effect of the juice on the surface of the teeth.
With ginger
You can also make aromatic jelly from pomegranate for the winter. This is an excellent sweet preparation for the New Year and Christmas holidays.
What ingredients will you need?
For spiced pomegranate jelly you will need:
- 4 tbsp. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice;
- 0.25 tbsp. lemon juice;
- 50 g powdered pectin;
- 5 tbsp. white cane sugar;
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon;
- 1 tsp. ground ginger;
- 0.25 tsp allspice;
- 0.25 tsp carnations.
Step-by-step cooking process
Aromatic spicy pomegranate jelly is prepared as follows:
- It is necessary to fill a large container with water about 2/3, boil and process 3-4 0.5 liter jars and screw caps in it.
- Place pomegranate and lemon juice and pectin in a separate 3-liter saucepan, stir and place over high heat, bringing the mixture to a boil. Be sure to stir the liquid constantly to prevent burning.
- As soon as the mixture reaches a full boil, add sugar and spices and boil again, cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.
- Next, you need to remove the foam from the surface of the jelly with a spoon and pour it into hot prepared jars, filling them almost to the top. If necessary, you will need to wipe the top edges of the containers.
- Then the jars need to be tightly closed with screw caps and sterilized in a container with boiling water for 10 minutes, then placed on a laid out towel to cool.
- After 24 hours, you need to check the tightness of the container. If the middle portion of the lid springs back when pressed, the product is not sealed properly and should be refrigerated.
Pomegranate juice composition and calorie content
The quantitative indicators of valuable elements contained in a pomegranate drink are much higher than those of other fruits and berries.
Vitamins:
- most vitamin K – 8.7% of the daily value;
- vitamin B9 – 6% of the daily value;
- vitamin B5 – 5.7%;
- vitamin B6 – 3.1%;
- vitamin E – 2.6%;
- slightly less vitamins B1, B2, B3, B4, C.
Minerals:
- in first place is potassium - 4.6% of the daily norm;
- next comes manganese - 4.1% of the daily value;
- in third place is copper – 2.3%;
- magnesium – 1.8%;
- phosphorus – 1.6%;
- calcium, iron – 1% each;
- zinc, sodium, selenium - from 0.8% to 0.5%.
Organic acids – 2.4 grams. Monosaccharides, disaccharides (fructose and glucose) – 14.2 grams.
The nutritional value of fresh pomegranate is from 56 to 65 calories per 100 grams: calorie content depends on the variety and level of ripeness of the fruit. Carbohydrate content – from 14 to 14.5 grams. Protein content: 0.3 grams; ash - 0.3 grams; fiber – 0.2 grams; fat – 0.1 grams. Most of all in water: 82.5 grams.
Distinguished by its excellent composition, natural pomegranate juice maintains a healthy state of the body and prevents many diseases.
Jam
You can make pomegranate jam from whole grains, which will have a pleasant crunch. To make its taste and aroma even more delicate, you should add raspberries to it.
What ingredients will you need?
For this workpiece you need:
- 3 grenades;
- 250 g frozen raspberries;
- half a lemon, juice only;
- 1 handful of fresh thyme leaves;
- 0.5 tbsp. agave syrup (or more, to taste)
Step-by-step cooking process
To make pomegranate and raspberry jam, you will need to follow these steps:
- It is necessary to cut the pomegranates in half and transfer them to a large bowl, in which all the grains should be separated from the peel and membranes. You can fill the container with water, but in this case some of the juice will be lost during cleaning.
- Next, place the pomegranate juice and seeds in a large saucepan, add the raspberries and agave syrup and heat slowly until the mixture boils, then stir well.
- Then you need to turn up the heat and add thyme leaves to the fruit, stir and let all the ingredients boil for 20-30 minutes.
- In the meantime, you need to sterilize the jars by boiling them in hot water for a few minutes.
- Next, add lemon juice to the jam and cook for another 1 minute.
- Then the finished product must be carefully transferred into sterilized jars and closed with lids, cooled at room temperature or sterilized in boiling water for 10-15 minutes.
Pomegranate with fresh vegetables
Pomegranate is a unique fruit. With its addition, any dish will become more aromatic, more interesting, tastier, healthier and more original. This is one of the few fruits that goes well with any food. It is added to both hot dishes and salads, desserts, and cocktails.
Six Great Carrot Juice Recipes
Pomegranate cooked with fresh vegetables is very useful. Therefore, at home from time to time it is worth pampering yourself with a vitamin salad.
You will need:
- two medium fresh carrots;
- medium-sized beets;
- large green apple;
- peeled sunflower grains;
- small lemon;
- olive oil - about two tablespoons;
- salt to taste.
Pomegranate cooked with fresh vegetables is healthy.
The recipe is simple:
- Wash the carrots and beets, peel them and grate them on a coarse grater.
- Peel the apple, remove the core, grate on a coarse grater.
- Dry the seeds in the microwave or lightly fry them.
- Peel the pomegranate and remove the seeds.
- Place carrots, beets, apples, pomegranates, and seeds in a salad bowl.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemon, add olive oil to it, stir, pour over the salad.
Before serving, all ingredients can be salted and mixed. The salad will look more interesting in layers. You can squeeze a little juice from the pomegranate and pour over the salad. The taste will become even more aromatic.
For such a bright and healthy salad, effective presentation is very important. We recommend serving the finished dish on Leander dishes https://leander-serviz.ru/catalog/dekor_interera
Seedless jam
You can make excellent seedless jam from pomegranate and cranberries, which has a pleasant sourness and intense aroma.
What ingredients will you need?
For this delicious preparation you need:
- 2.5 tbsp. whole cranberries, fresh or frozen;
- 2.5 tbsp. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice;
- 7 tbsp. granulated sugar;
- 0.5 tbsp. fine pectin.
Step-by-step cooking process
To make seedless pomegranate and cranberry jam, you will need to follow these steps:
- Blend the cranberries in a blender or food processor to crush them and release their juices (but do not puree them).
- Next, you need to mix mashed cranberries, pomegranate juice and pectin in a large saucepan and boil.
- If there is a strong boil that does not subside with slow stirring, add sugar slowly while continuing to stir.
- When all the sugar has dissolved, you need to bring the mixture to a boil again, continuing to stir it slowly.
- As soon as the boiling becomes very intense again, you need to start counting the time and cook for exactly 7 minutes, without stopping stirring.
- After this time, you need to remove the jam from the stove and pour it into prepared jars.
Pomegranate juice for men and women
It is interesting to understand the benefits of pomegranate juice for men and women separately, in addition to those properties that have already been noted.
For men, pomegranate and pomegranate drink act as a natural aphrodisiac: they stimulate, increase libido and sexual activity, and improve sperm quality. This happens due to the production of an increased dose of testosterone. Another benefit is that the drink prevents the growth of cancer cells in the prostate gland. Stimulation of metabolic processes prevents hair loss.
For women, pomegranate nectar is useful at any age. It prevents breast cancer and has a beneficial effect on the ovaries, stimulating their activity. Fresh pomegranate restores blood composition during heavy menstruation and facilitates its flow. The drink has a beneficial effect on the condition of women during menopause. Fresh pomegranate contains natural estrogen - estrol, the lack of which during menopause leads to hot flashes, weakness, anxiety, headaches, swelling, and depression.
If you drink fresh pomegranate daily, your skin condition will improve. You can complement the rejuvenating effect with pomegranate masks.
The diuretic property of pomegranate drink will help women get rid of swelling and remove excess fluid from the body. The ability of the pomegranate drink to thicken the blood stops uterine bleeding. The stimulating effect on metabolic processes helps to get rid of extra pounds.
Jam
After sterilization, pomegranate jam can be stored outside the refrigerator for a very long time. This is an excellent preparation for the winter with a pleasant sour taste, which is suitable for preparing many desserts.
What ingredients will you need?
To make jam you will need:
- 4 tbsp. freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, strained through a large sieve (to remove the seeds, but skip some of the pulp);
- 0.25 tbsp. lemon juice;
- 50 g of powdered pectin;
- 5 tbsp. white sugar.
Step-by-step cooking process
Pomegranate seed jam is prepared as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare the canning jars by placing them in boiling water for a few minutes, along with the lids.
- In a separate saucepan, bring the pomegranate and lemon juice and pectin to a boil over high heat, stirring constantly.
- When the mixture begins to boil intensely, add sugar to it and cook for 2 minutes, then remove from the stove and let stand for 1 minute. and remove foam from the surface.
- Next, you need to fill the jars almost to the top and screw on the lids.
- After this, it is necessary to sterilize the filled container in a water bath for 10-15 minutes, cool it upside down, check for leaks and store at room temperature.
Syrup
Pomegranate syrup is also known as grenadine and is made from a mixture of simple ingredients. It has a pleasant ruby color and is suitable for preparing numerous cocktails.
What ingredients will you need?
For homemade pomegranate syrup you will need:
- 0.3 tbsp. Sahara;
- 1.25 tbsp. unsweetened pomegranate juice;
- 1-2 tbsp. l. lemon juice (about half a medium fruit).
Step-by-step cooking process
- Add sugar and pomegranate juice to a medium saucepan and stir vigorously to begin dissolving the sugar.
- Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil and let it thicken for about 5-7 minutes. You don't need to boil it for too long.
- The finished syrup should be allowed to cool, then add lemon juice 1 tbsp. l. at a time until it reaches the desired acid level, then bottle and store in the refrigerator for 3 weeks to a month.
What are the benefits of pomegranate juice?
Pomegranate juice, the benefits and harms of which are determined by the substances it contains, can become an indispensable natural remedy for getting rid of ailments or preventing their occurrence.
- The high content of a number of vitamins and valuable elements in the juice allows it to be used as a remedy for vitamin deficiency and to improve immunity.
- The drink has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties, and has an anti-cancer effect.
- Pomegranate juice is an excellent remedy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, cleansing blood vessels and lowering cholesterol levels. It is a source of potassium, necessary for normal heart function.
- The drink reduces blood pressure and calcium deposition on bones and joints, prevents the formation of kidney stones, and helps with many gastrointestinal diseases.
- The anti-stress and calming nervous system properties of the juice and its rejuvenating effect on the body as a whole are also known.
- Despite the impressive list of valuable properties, the drink should be drunk correctly, and if there is an exacerbation of a stomach ulcer, pancreatitis or increased acidity of gastric juice, stop drinking it altogether.
Homemade marshmallow
Pomegranate marshmallow is an original way to prepare this healthy fruit for the winter. It does not require any culinary skills or experience.
What ingredients will you need?
For this homemade sweet you need:
- 3 tbsp. l. unflavored gelatin;
- 0.75 tbsp. and separately 1 1/8 tbsp. pomegranate juice, freshly squeezed;
- 3 tbsp. granulated sugar, plus more for coating the marshmallow.
Step-by-step cooking process
- Line a square or rectangular pan with plastic wrap and spray it with nonstick oil spray over the entire surface.
- Next you need to place 0.75 tbsp. pomegranate juice into a saucepan, mix with gelatin and leave for 5 minutes.
- After this, you need to bring the remaining juice to a boil in another container, and then pour it into the gelatin mixture, stir until completely dissolved.
- Add sugar there and stir, boil, turn down the heat and cook over low heat (so that bubbles float to the surface all the time) for 20-25 minutes, stirring almost constantly.
- Then you need to pour the mixture into the prepared pan, let it cool, then cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
- As soon as the marshmallow hardens, you need to sprinkle it with sugar, then turn it out of the mold, holding it by the film.
- Next, remove the film and sprinkle sugar on the other surface of the dessert.
- After this, the marshmallow needs to be cut into cubes, sprinkled well with granulated sugar and left to air dry for several hours. Then you need to pack the dessert in any closed container.
How to make pomegranate and apple compote?
Apple-pomegranate compote contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements necessary to maintain human health. The undeniable advantage of this drink is that it is not tied to a specific season, so you can prepare apple-pomegranate compote at home even in winter. For this you will need:
- 2 liters of drinking water;
- half a pomegranate fruit;
- a couple of apples;
- lunch spoon of sugar.
It is necessary to cook compote taking into account the following step-by-step recommendations.
- The fruits are washed thoroughly.
- Apples are cut into quarters or into 8 parts. A piece of core and seeds are removed from each slice. Usually compote is made from sweet varieties of apples, but if sour fruits were used in the preparation process, the amount of sugar should be increased in the future.
- Fruit pieces are transferred to a saucepan.
- The grains are removed from the pomegranate so that there are no partitions in the resulting mass.
- Pomegranate kernels are poured into apple slices, everything is filled with water and set over low heat.
- After the liquid boils, reduce the heat and cook the compote for another 5 minutes.
- Next, the drink is cooled slightly and then filtered through a sieve. Granulated sugar is added to the resulting compote and completely dissolved in the warm liquid.
- The sweetened compote is cooled to room temperature and then placed in the refrigerator.
It is better to serve the drink cool, since when served this way, the compote perfectly quenches thirst.
Useful tips and tricks
Pomegranate is a fall fruit, so you can find the ripest fruits late in the season. Since its grains are hidden under a thick peel, it is important to know how to choose the right pomegranate.
The basic rules for choosing fruit look like this:
- It is necessary to choose the heaviest grenades. The weight of the fruit indicates how juicy it is. Lighter pomegranates do not contain as much juice as heavier ones. To do this, you can weigh each fruit separately, but this is not necessary. It is enough to take one fruit in each hand and simply compare their mass.
- It is best to buy fruit with deeply colored peel. Its color varies in shades of red, from scarlet to more brownish or even pink. Although the color of the skin does not indicate anything about the ripeness or taste of the fruit, the deeper the color, the better. The peel should also be glossy.
- Unripe pomegranates are round like apples. However, their shape changes slightly as the fruits ripen, and when filled with juice, they begin to expand and press on the inner surfaces of the peel. A mature pomegranate will have a more square shape because its sides will be flattened (rather than rounded).
- To make sure that the pomegranate is not damaged, you need to take it in your hand and squeeze it slightly. The fruit should be firm and not bruised.
- You should choose garnets with smooth, undamaged surfaces. The peel should be soft enough to be scratched. Unripe pomegranates have a very hard skin that is resistant to any damage.
Taking into account the above rules, you can choose the best and highest quality pomegranates and prepare both juice and various other tasty preparations for the winter from them. It should be remembered that it is better to use more sour varieties of fruit for syrup and jam, and sweeter ones for juices and compotes.
Pomegranate and juicer
Although pomegranate juice is not as popular as other fruits, those who want to increase the level of hemoglobin in the blood cannot do without it.
As noted above, pomegranate can be squeezed out manually at home, but what to do if you want to squeeze it out as quickly as possible. This is where a juicer can come to the rescue. But is it possible to squeeze pomegranate in a juicer? If yes, then how to do it correctly?
Answering this question will not be difficult. After all, it’s hard to imagine that in the age of high technology, when technology can already do almost all the work around the house, it would be impossible to squeeze juice out of a pomegranate.
But it’s also worth noting that not all juicers can do this. You need to know how to squeeze juice from a pomegranate in a juicer without breaking it. Since the pomegranate contains a large number of small seeds, which can simply clog the squeezer mechanism.
To prevent this from happening, carefully read the operating instructions for the juicer. Of course, not all will include a clause regarding pomegranate. In such cases, you should be guided by the precautions of using berries and fruits with small seeds, such as currants.