Pears with Berry & Pomegranate
…Sssshh!… I have a secret ingredient in my cupboards that I’ve started to use in unexpected places. It’s something I stumbled upon when reading a Mediterranean cookbook and then again in one featuring Middle Eastern cuisine. Seeing the ingredient twice in a row made me curious, and finding it at a local market the following week convinced me that it was karma. It’s tangy — in that mouth-watering, sharp/sour kind of way — and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. It also doubles as tamarind in case you’re whipping up a meal with south-of-the-border origins. (Add a bit of anchovy paste, and you have the best flavors of Worcestershire sauce without the high-fructose corn syrup.) Figured out what the mystery item is yet?
Pomegranate molasses. It couldn’t be simpler: it’s just pomegranate juice that’s been reduced (boiled down) — a process that lends it a molasses-like viscosity — and then bottled. You’ll tend to find it in Middle Eastern markets or well-stocked grocery stores.
Ever since I began using it, I’ve been amazed at its complexity and flavor. (It’s even a fun addition to martinis and vodka-based cocktails!) In this case, I made a berry chutney and used pomegranate molasses instead of the traditional vinegar. It’s sour enough to create the sweet-sour pull that’s so integral to a chutney, but since pomegranate molasses isn’t as sour as vinegar, it doesn’t need so much sugar to counterbalance it; in fact, I skipped the sugar entirely and just used a spoonful of honey.
Pomegranate Fruit Chutney
In a small pan, thoroughly stir together the following ingredients and let simmer for about 15 minutes on very low heat, stirring occasionally:
1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup cherries (fresh or frozen)
1 T. pomegranate molasses
1 T. honey
1 cinnamon stick (optional, but nice)
2-3 whole cloves (another nice touch)
1 cardamom pod (might as well throw it in if you have one)
Remove whole spices if you used them. Spoon chutney onto fresh fruit or ice cream and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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Tags: cinnamon, dessert, fruit chutney, pear, pomegranate molasses
