Sometimes I get a bit stuck on one food, I think whatever it is that I’m into is so great that I keep making it over and over again.

Sometimes these food passions are phases (like last summer when I made Vanilla Bean Cake 14 times!), sometimes they are just foods I’ll always love (like blueberries), and other times it’s foods that are in season and available for a little while (like persimmons).

Well, I’m in the seasonal obsession mode right now with Pomegranates.

I’ve been making this simple Pomegranate Coconut Parfait over and over again because I love it. I’ve also served it to guests several times, it makes for a very elegant desert. Everyone loves it! It even got the comment “This is a gourmet desert” from a friend who gravitates more to white sugar and white flour deserts.

It’s super easy to make – it just takes a bit of time to get the arils (seeds) – free from the pomegranate shell.

I take a pretty basic approach to getting the Arils out. I cut the pomegranate in quarters and then I gently pry the seeds out. It goes pretty quickly. My hands turn red and I make a bit of a mess, but I enjoy it. There are less messy and more exacting ways of getting the arils free. Many folks extract the arils under water. You can see how that’s done here.

Update:  Since posting this blog a couple of you have pointed me to the direction of banging the arils out. Here’s a how-to and here’s a product that will help you get those precious seeds free.

Besides being a delicacy, pomegranates are so good for you. They are:

  • high in fiber
  • high in antioxidants
  • high in Vit. C & K

Pomegranate Coconut Parfait:

Ingredients:

  • pomegranate – as many arils (pomegranate seeds) as you are willing to extract
  • coconut milk – full fat from a can. My favorite is Native Forest coconut milk, because their cans are BPA free.
  • maple syrup
  • raspberries (optional) defrost frozen raspberries for an additional flourish on top.

Directions:

  • Whip coconut milk so it’s frothy and without lumps. This is not a necessary step but it does make the parfait even more luscious.
  • Top pomegranate with coconut milk.
  • Drizzle a bit of maple syrup on top
  • Add a spoonful of raspberries on top  (optional)

Enjoy!

P.S.

Be sure to join me for my free call on Monday Jan. 9th 2012.

 

“What to do & What to eat:

The busy mom solution to reclaim your body and end the war with food.”

 

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Nina Manolson, MA, CHC, LMT is the Smokin’ Hot Mom Mentor and Family Wellness Expert. She’s the founder of SmokinHotMom.com and HealthyYummyKids.com. She helps busy moms look and feel their best, and helps them feed their kids well in a world that doesn’t.
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