Health Benefits and uses of Pomegranate

My weekly trips to the grocery store are always filled with veggies, fresh meats and an abundance of fruits. One of my favorites and one that is almost always in my shopping cart is pomegranate (if it is in season).

I grew up eating pomegranate in Jamaica, though they are a different variety than the deep red ones here in America, they are both equally tart, super juicy and delicious. Among other scrumptious descriptions, they are said to be one of the new super foods and boasts a host of health benefits. I am not in position to confirm nor deny these claims, but Dr. Fuhrman and Dr. Oz have both endorsed this delicious fruit as one to include in our diets as often as possible for the many health benefits.

Juicy Goodness

Uses

• You can use pomegranate in your salads for a texture and a nice burst of juice.
• You can juice it or buy the drink for a refreshing thirst quencher
• You can eat it as a snack to replace a candy or other high caloric midday craving "satisfier"
• You can juice it and make a fantastic marinate for meats and seafood
• You can use it as a beautiful addition to your cheese and crackers platter
• You can juice it and add a tbsp to fluff, cream cheese and vanilla for a yummy fruit dip
• I'm sure you can figure out other things that would be greatly complemented with this super food

So if you have never had a pomegranate before, give it a try, you won't regret it. And if you are a regular, try using it in a different way to add a little pizzazz to your dish or snack options. You can buy them for $2-$3 depending on where you are in the country. Enjoy one of my addictions, hopefully you'll become addicted, too.

BNW~

Fun Beverages With a Caribbean Flare

These are some of my favorite punches and juices. I will continue to add recipes on this thread, so check back often.  To get started, hail to the black gold and green...RUM punch, a Jamaican favorite.




Jamaican Rum Punch

500ml (3/4 Bottle) Jamaican White Rum
750 ml  Pineapple Juice
750 ml  Fruit Punch
3 Tsp of Angostura Bitters
1/4 Cup Lime Juice

Method:
Pour contents in a large jug, stir and refrigerate.Serve chill






(Irish) Potato Punch

1lb Potato
2 Cups of Milk
1/2 Cup Condensed Milk
Sugar 
Vanilla
Nutmeg
1 Tbsp of Rum

Method:
Boil potatoes until they are tender. Drain half of the water and empty contents in a blender, add milk and puree until potato has dissolved. Sweeten and flavor with condensed milk, sugar to taste, rum, vanilla and nutmeg. Chill and serve.






Jamaican Style Carrot Juice

1lb Carrot
2 Cup of Milk
1/2 Cup of Condensed Milk
Sugar
Vanilla
Nutmeg

Method:
Boil carrots until tender. Let cool (do not drain). Transfer to your blender, add milk and blend until carrots have completely dissolved. Sweeten with condense milk, sugar to taste, vanilla and nutmeg. This is a preferred drink to accompany your Sunday dinner.

This recipe was one of my favorites with Sunday dinners. Some of my friends, not so much, they prefer to get the nutrients instead of having them destroyed in the boiling of the carrots. This taste better to me, so I am sacrificing the nutrients here and I will seek them from the solid portion of my meal. If you want to get the full nutrients however, see the recipe below.




Carrot and Beet Root Juice

1lb Carrot
2 Beets
3 Cups of Water
1 Tin of Condensed Milk
2 Tsp Vanilla
1Tsp Nutmeg (optional)
1 Tsp Almond Flavor

Method:
Wash and cut carrots and beets into small cubes. Add to blender with water and puree until the vegetables have completely shredded. Strain into a jug and sweeten with condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg and almond flavor. Refrigerate and enjoy with a yummy dish.




Papaya, Mango and Orange Punch

1 Lg Ripe Papaya
1 Lg Ripe Mango
2 Cups of Orange Juice
2 Cups of Water
Juice of 1 Lime
Sugar to taste


Method:
Gotta have my mango. Dice mango, and papaya and add to blender with orange juice, lime juice and water and blend until the fruits have completed dissolved. Pour contents into a jug and sweeten to taste. Refrigerate and serve chilled. Yum :)



Pineapple Ginger Zinger

2 Cups of Fresh Pineapple chunks
3 Cups of Water
1/3 Cup of Fresh Ginger Sliced
1 Lime or Lemon Juice
Sugar
Sprite or Ginger Ale ( optional)

Method
Blend pineapple water and ginger until the chunks have Liquified. Pour through a strainer into a large jug, add lime/lemon juice and sweeten to taste. Top off with some soda for a nice little fizz (optional). Refrigerate and enjoy chilled.





Pumpkin Punch

My mom used to make this at least once a month. It is so rich and creamy and easy to make.Since the country is in a pumpkin frenzy, I think it is a good time to share this one.

1 Small Pumpkin (scale if you wish to make a bigger batch)
4 Cups Almond Milk ( sweetened vanilla)
Sweetened  Condensed Milk
1/2 Bottle Guinness or Any Dark Full Bodied Stout
Grated Nutmeg
Vanilla
Salt
Water

Method:

Boil Pumpkin in salt and water. When tender, remove from heat and let cool. Blend with water, almond milk and Guinness. Sweeten to taste with condensed milk and flavor with nutmeg and vanilla.