Pomegranate "How To": The Bowl & Water Technique

Pomegranates are DELICIOUS & EXTREMELY healthy, packed full of dietary fibers, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals!

However, this super food isn't consumed as much as it should be & is often overlooked because of the prep work involved. It used to take me about 15+ minutes to break down ONE pomegranate- until my aunt taught me her "bowl and water technique" when I visited family for Christmas.

1) Remove the crown.

   

2) Score the skin, using the segments as a guide, from top to bottom. No need to cut all of the way through the fruit! 

3) Then, remove the center piece, connected to the stem, &  pry apart sections.

    

4) Break the seeds (arils) from the skins and membranes- the seeds will sink to the bottom, while the other pieces float to the top... keep the fruit submerged under water during this step to keep from the STAINING juices from going everywhere!

5) Bask in your sweet victory!

  

6) Strain and rise the arils (seeds). 

                  

7) Pat dry with paper towel and store in the  fridge!

Time for some FACTOIDS::

-pomegranates can limit UV damage, help prevent arthritis and keep LDL, or bad cholesterol, from accumulating in arteries.

- too much fruit? the pomegranate arils can be frozen for up to three months. {{spread arils in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and leave them in the freezer, uncovered, for about 2 hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or Ziploc baggie.

- no rush! ...Pomegranates do not continue to develop sugars after they’re harvested, so, once picked, they remain ripe. Keep them in your refrigerator and they are good to go for up to two months.

Check out this webpage for information on how the health benefits of pomegranates!

Paleo Treat: 'Back Country Clusters'

Today's recipe was a Pinterest find from the blog ourpaleolife.com. I myself am not on a strictly paleo diet, but like to incorporate some of these recipes into my regime every now and again.. Especially when chocolate is an ingredient!

Ingredients:
- 3 cups of a nut/seed/dried fruit mix (unsalted and no sugar added.. When in doubt, make your own)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I used a smidge more)
- 1 tsp. vegan shortening (I used coconut oil)


Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I used wax paper and learned my lesson.. NEVER again).

Combine all ingredients, EXCEPT shortening and chocolate chips, in a large bowl and stir until evenly coated.

Pour nut mixture onto lined baking sheet and press mixture flat until about 1/2" thick.

Baked for 20 minutes. Then let cool COMPLETELY.

Break nut mixture into bite-sized clusters.

Melt chocolate chips and shortening (coconut oil at casa de ghoens) for 30ish seconds.. Until you can stir it smooth.

Dip bottom of cluster into chocolate and set on sheet of parchment to harden.

I like to keep mine frozen or refrigerated!

--my experience of this recipe varies slightly from my instructions. My nut mixture didn't harden because the original recipe didn't mention that the shortening was to be used to melt the chocolate. That being said, my nut clusters remaining sticky instead of getting crunchy. I persevered and adapted by putting 1 inch spoonfuls of chocolate on the parchment paper first and the. Setting the sticky nut mixture on top. In the end, I acheived the same result but invested a little more time in the process.

Now I know for next time!

Bon appetit!

Xo,
Linz

Holy Veggetti!

You've all see it on TV infomercials or on the shelf of the "as seen on TV" section of a drug store.

You've wondered, is it worth it? Will this change my life??

I thought these same things, my friends.. I was like "eh, the last thing I need is another lame kitchen tool." BUT THEN, I was walking through Bed, Bath and Beyond last week **wandering in this store never turns out well** and suddenly it called out to me from the sucker section by the register. With a $14.99 price tag and the option to use a $5 off coupon, I thought "what the heck, let's give this a go."

I hate to jump on this bandwagon, but it is officially one of my FAVE kitchen tools.

Tonight's meal was 10-Minute Pesto Shrimp with Zucchini Veggetti and onions. BAM! So simple, healthy and delicious. Can't wait to experiment more with this bad boy!

Give it a twirl!.. get it?

~Linz