#MediterraneanMondays - Pomegranate Recipes

The Mediterranean diet is widely considered the cleanest, healthiest and most balanced in the world. Rather than relying on faddy trends and unsustainable eating habits, the Mediterranean approach relies on the quality of natural products, seasonality and the freshness of ingredients. It promotes health from the inside out.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are a great snack and addition to many meals. They're rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids and anthocyanins, which are strong antioxidants. Pomegranates also promote cellular renewal, thereby reducing the visible signs of ageing. Given its nutritious benefits, we've created a Mediterranean three-course meal with pomegranates.

Starter: Italian Sparkling Pomegranate

Ingredients:

Sparkling water

Ice

2 cups pomegranate seeds

1/2 cup sugar

Mint

Method:

1. Boil a cup of pomegranate seeds with sugar and some water. After a few minutes press the seeds together to form a thick syrup and strain.

2. Add as much syrup as you desire into a glass with ice. Pour the sparkling water on top and garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds and some mint.

Main: Spinach Pomegranate Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup fregola

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt and pepper

2 tbsp Italian flat-leaf parsley

4oz spinach fresh, chopped (1/2 cup)

1/2 cup walnuts chopped

1/2 pomegranate seeds

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp honey

1/2 tsp dry mustard

Method:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Stir and cook the fregola for approximately 12 minutes and drain.

2. Add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to keep the fregola from drying out. When the fregola has cooled to room temperature, add the parsley, spinach and walnuts. Combine gently together.

3. To make the balsamic vinaigrette whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, honey, dry mustard and salt and pepper. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad. Gently combine the pomegranate seeds.

Dessert: Pomegranate Panna Cotta

Ingredients:

Pomegranate seeds

1/3 cup pomegranate juice

2 tsp unflavoured gelatin

1 1/2 cups double cream

1 cup sugar

½ cup full-fat milk

Method:

1. In each of the dessert cups sprinkle a few pomegranate seeds. Place 1/3 cup of pomegranate juice into a small bowl. Sprinkle the gelatin over the pomegranate juice. Set aside.

2. Place the cream in a small saucepan. Stir in the sugar and gently heat over the hob, stirring the mixture to dissolve the sugar.

3. Remove from the heat. Pour in the pomegranate gelatin mixture and stir until completely melted, also adding the milk in slowly. Divide the mixture evenly among the dessert cups and refrigerate until firm.

4. Once firm, sprinkle the top of the panna cotta with some pomegranate seeds.

In the same way that eating pomegranates promote good health from the inside out, we also promote good skin from the outside in by applying Pomegranate topically. The following products contain Pomegranate:

Pomegranate Face Mask