Pomegranate Juice Recipe
Its health properties are well known, but sweet, tart pomegranate juice is as delicious as it is good for you. Pomegranates are in season now, which means they taste at their best and are at their cheapest too, so now is the best time to experiment with some delicious juices. The seeds are also great used in salads and Middle Eastern recipes if you're feeling adventurous!
Pomegranate juice recipe for health
Pomegranates are full of ruby coloured, jewel like seeds that boast a number of healthy uses. Among the claims made for pomegranates are that they help to protect against high blood pressure, heart disease and a number of cancers, particularly of the prostate. Beneficial effects have also been reported upon serum cholesterol levels. One study even showed a daily glass of juice could provoke a surge of testosterone for a natural aphrodisiac effect!
Eating or drinking pomegranate will provide you with fibre plus vitamins A, C, E and various other antioxidants such as tannins. They've often been called a 'superfood'.
Pomegranate juice recipe
1 cup pomegranate seeds
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Up to one and a half teaspoons sugar
Good pinch of salt and pepper
One and a half cups water
4 ice cubes
To de-seed your pomegranates, cut in half and submerge under water then use your fingers to extract the seeds from the shells. The seeds should float to the bottom of the bowl and the yellow or white membrane holding them will float to the top to be easily removed.
Add the pomegranate seeds to a blender with half a cup of water and whizz on high for 5-10 seconds to thoroughly smash up the seeds. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, pressing the last bits of pulp through with a spoon to extract the maximum amount of juice. Add the rest of the water, salt and pepper and the lemon juice, plus the sugar to taste and stir until dissolved. Serve over ice.
If you have a juicer, make yourself an antioxidant blast with the seeds from one pomegranate along with a couple of carrots, a large pear and an apple.
Less healthily you could use your juice in a naughty Christmas cocktail! You'll need 30 ml of juice plus 60ml pink vermouth and 30ml ginger ale. Stir the ingredients together and serve over ice in a cocktail glass.
