The Easy Way to Eat a Pomegranate
There’s something alluring about pomegranates. On the outside, you have a beautifully flushed skin, and on the inside, gorgeous, crimson seeds that glisten. What a unique fruit!
Would you believe me if I told you that I wanted pomegranate centerpieces when I was planning my wedding reception? It’s true. I thought it would be lovely to have bowls of the deeply colored baubles rather than flowers. Later, I learned it was quite an appropriate wish, since pomegranates are a symbol of marriage and fertility in some cultures. But sadly, I was told by my florist that pomegranates would be out of season, and I had to settle for more traditional, but equally lovely, centerpieces.
I will admit that I do not enjoy the tediousness of opening one. What is it about enticing fruits and vegetables that are difficult to pry open and enjoy? Think of artichokes and coconuts, for example. It’s almost as though nature is being purposefully protective of these special packages of yumminess.
So, I am a big fan of pomegranate juice. Open a bottle, and voila! Plus it’s available all year long. When POM Wonderful was kind enough to send me a box of their pomegranate juice, I was so excited. I love their juices (and their bottles!). And I couldn’t wait to play with it. Who says you can’t play with your food?
I immediately knew that I wanted make a marinade with some of the POM Wonderful juice. The sweetness of the juice results in a fantastic glaze, and the acidity helps to tenderize the chicken. The first batch of chicken thighs that we grilled with my POMegranate-Soy-Garlic Marinade came out SO good, there were no leftovers. None. Nada. Zilch. So I had to make it again, just to make sure I had the recipe just right to share with you. Actually, I made it more than twice, and I realized that I was channeling inspiration from the Filipino barbecue flavors I remember from family parties. So I also made barbecued pork skewers with the marinade. The marinade proved to be versatile, delicious, and a new family favorite.
POMegranate-Soy-Garlic Marinade
Yields 2 cups of marinade.
- one head of garlic, crushed
- 1 cup POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- salt
- pepper
- 1/8 cup olive oil
Combine all ingredients. Ideally, marinate chicken thighs or thinly sliced pork tenderloin overnight. For the pork skewers, feel free to rub a little more olive oil to the pork before skewering to prevent meat from drying out. Don’t forget to soak bamboo skewers in water in advance, too, to prevent burning.
Great summer bbq recipe.
Liren replied: — May 24th, 2010 @ 11:59 pm
Thanks Maria! I will be making this many more times this summer. I especially loved it with chicken!
I can only imagine how good that glaze is…..that was a stroke of genius combining pomegranate juice with the soy for the marinade!
Cheers
Dennis
Liren replied: — May 24th, 2010 @ 11:59 pm
Thanks Dennis! It really was a perfect pairing!
This sounds awesome! I have never tried POM and this is a good recipe to try it with! Thanks
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:00 am
Oh, do try POM (I love drinking it – very similar to cranberry juice in flavor), but this recipe is just so easy I hope you do try it!
What a fabulous – and healthy – marinade!
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:00 am
Hi Belinda, YES, it is absolutely healthy! Full of antioxidants!
Lovely marinade! I’m wondering if the pomegranate juice makes the marinade more tart, or sweet? I’ve never tried POM although I see it everywhere. Would like to try this one at our next bbq. :)
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:02 am
Thank you Judy! I think the pomegranate juice, while tangy, also adds a ting of sweetness (not too much). It’s a perfect balance for the soy! Hope you do try it at your next bbq – try it with the chicken first – that’s my fave!
Great idea…Looks wonderful:)
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:02 am
Thank you :)
I love pomegranate so much that I planted a tree in the garden. I rarely use it as a marinade but will do now, it’s a fantastic idea!
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:03 am
Hi Silvia, do you really have a pomegranate tree? So lucky! I can only imagine the fun you have cooking with all the beautiful pomegranates! Sigh, I really need to plant a real garden…
Looks absolutely delicious! Would this work on swordfish? I’m dying to try it!
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:04 am
Wow, Brian, swordfish sounds like it could work! I would be very curious to try – it’s a very white, firm fish, I would say why not? Please, if you try it, let me know how it turns out. I’d love to know.
Looks so delicious and what a cleaver way to use pomegranate juice. Love the pom brand!
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:05 am
Thanks, Lisa! I love POM too – all the different juices are delicious. But I had so much fun with this marinade, too!
I now crown you the Grilling Guru. :-)
Seriously, I’ll have to borrow this marinade recipe sometime. I think because I had barbecued pork myself tonight, I could almost taste those skewered goodies in your photo.
Cheers!
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:12 am
Wow, what an honor! Actually, just call me the grilling prep guru, because my hubby is usually in charge of the actual grilling. Usually. I hope you do make this sometime, I know you’ll like it!
I love POM! But you are so much more creative than I am, I would have never thought to use it as a marinade. ;)
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:13 am
Aw thanks! It really did work so perfectly as a marinade!
What a great idea, wonder how well it would work with salmon.
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:13 am
I do think it would work quite well. I’ve used soy marinades with salmon before, this would just give it another dimension!
Great idea to use pomegranate juice. Looks delicious. I love pomegranate. I just enjoy picking it and eating it.
Liren replied: — May 25th, 2010 @ 12:14 am
Thanks Mary! It is such a delicious fruit, I love it fresh, but oh, it can be tedious (I’m just a bit lazy)!
I’ve never tried POM but the bottle alone is to die for and everyone keeps raving about it! I wish they would export here. You listening POM? ;)
This looks wonderful Liren and I do love the sound of that marinade!
Liren replied: — June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:21 pm
POM Wonderful should really export there! Too bad! According to POM there is a real difference in the variety of pomegranate they use and the nutrients in that fruit. Phooey. Oh well, if you get your hands on some pomegranates, I know you’ll be able to juice it and try the marinade!
Working with pomegranet can me messy, your version is a greal alternative. I am going to a BBQ on Sunday and I will bring this dish.
Thanks
YUM! I looove pomegranate anything. I especially love it in a marinade! Will have to try it! Thanks for sharing! :)
Love POM juice :) I also love the POM lychee tea, so yummy. When I’ve been to Filipino parties, I always love eating the BBQ skewers. SO delish!!! Now I’m totally gonna have to give these a go. My grill is still downstairs in a box. The yard is still a disaster.
Also, thanks for the reminder on soaking the skewers. I ALWAYS FORGET!!! xoxo
Jenn [Defunkt Gourmet] replied: — June 1st, 2010 @ 3:21 pm
Hi Liren,
just thought you should know I tried this marinade and it ROCKS SOCKS!!! My Bob was totally loving it. Cannot wait to use this on the grill. *shakes fist at box in basement…* :)
Liren replied: — June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:36 pm
Jenn, did you really? Yay! I’m so glad you and Bob loved it! Make me so very, very happy :) Gosh, gotta get that grill outta the box! I feel for you!
Liren replied: — June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:25 pm
Ah, my personal POM juice fave is the POM Mango tea! Good stuff indeed.
This is a great idea! Those skewers look so perfect for a weekend meal when you have friends over…
Liren replied: — June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:31 pm
Yes, and even better, put the friends to work on making the skewers! That’s what my mom used to do :)
Yum..yum..yum! Perfect timing for the upcoming weekend holiday!
Liren replied: — June 3rd, 2010 @ 11:32 pm
Yum is right. Love your name BTW ;)
Hey Liren! Did I find you? Sorry to leave msg here, but can’t find anywhere else to do it! :)
Lovely recipe. I have never tried pomegranate juice as a marinade before. Thanks for the tip!
Liren replied: — June 4th, 2010 @ 10:40 pm
I’m so happy to share this – hope you try it!
So I just used the marinade to bake/broil chicken (we don’t have much of a yard for bbq) and tweaked it with hot pepper jelly. Delicious! Add baked fries and some fresh corn salad… ah heaven!
Liren replied: — June 4th, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Angela, it makes me so happy to know you tried it! Like you, I have tweaked the recipe here and there to try and make it spicy. Sriracha also adds some kick!
Looks like you are keeping your new grill in action. I love this marinate—great flavors and just right for this time of year.
Liren replied: — June 4th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm
Oh yes, the grill is seeing a lot of action these days! And I think the best part about marinading is that you can prep in advance and forget about it!
Can’t wait to try this.
Liren replied: — June 12th, 2010 @ 11:17 pm
I hope you enjoy it when you do!
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