If pomegranate is not a fruit related to the holidays, it should be. Just open one and look at the beautiful color of its seeds, not to mention that this is the time of the year where you can find them fresh. For a long time the only way I used to eat pomegranate was on chiles en nogada or drink it as juice. But now I am exploring more interesting ways to eat this delicious fruit. And now, I proudly present to you this dish that was so freaking delicious and looks so festive in accordance to the holiday season. If you happen to make this, please, please write to me with your comments, opinions and criticism. I’d really love to hear what you guys think about it.
This is a very simple and inexpensive dish that doesn’t require much preparation and the taste was just amazing. In Mexico some people prepare spaghetti for the Xmas eve dinner so for me this is a very Xmasy dish. That’s why I took that very festive picture of the dish. I really hope you enjoy this dish and am looking forward to reading your comments.Pomegranate meatballs with almond sauce
Makes 4-6 servingsFor this recipe you will need:
- 1 pound ground meat (I always use ground turkey)
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 TBSP chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 onion finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tsp ground oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- cooking oil
- 1 cup almonds (blenched work better)
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 3/4 cup skim milk
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 pound cooked spaghetti
Preparation:
Print this recipe
- In a large bowl mix meat, pomegranate seeds, eggs, cornmeal, parsley, onion, garlic, oregano, nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste very well. Form 2″ (approx.) meatballs and fry until brown and thouroughly cooked, about 5-7 minutes each side. You may bake them, instead.
- Blend together almonds (I didn’t use blenched almonds that’s why the sauce in the picture is a little bit brown), cream cheese and milk until you get a smooth sauce. Pour in a medium pot and place on low heat. Stir constantly until it starts to boil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve meatballs and sauce over a bed of cooked spaghetti al dente and garnish with pomegranate seeds and chives.
In another topic. I wrote a post on my other blog about the lighting I use for my food pics. We have always been told not to use a flash for food photography, but my advice to you is: ALWAYS USE A FLASH! LOL
¡Buen provecho!
I am sending this recipe to the following events. Please click on the badges to find out more:
This week this event is hosted by Mary of Baking Delights
30 Replies
Oh Ben! This is very creative and looks so delicious!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 11:34 am
Looks wonderful Ben. What a creative use of pomegranate!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 11:35 am
This looks amazing. I will make it for my houseguests later this week and let you know what they say. Yum, Im hungry for some now!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 11:56 am
What an original dish. I mailed your package this morning.
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Ben this looks amazing! Such a great photo, and wow, what a creative recipe!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Sure looks gorgeous! Sounds like you’re on a pomegranate-almond roll
. You know, pomegranate is actually related to winter holidays were I live.
Thanks for sharing it with the Original Recipes gang!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
It looks as if those Christmas lights have spilt over on your plate…. good stuff!!!
I use pomegranate pips tonight as well, will post later!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I’ll be passing this recipe along to my mom. She has two dying pomegranates and needs a way to use them! The almond sauce sounds really good.
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Ben, this looks delicious. It is highly reminiscent of one of my favorite Iranian dishes, Fesenjoon. I can already tell that I’ll like this one just as much.
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Ben this sounds very interesting especially having the pomegranate in the minced meat. The picture is also fantastic and thanks for all your advice about the lightening.
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
This is a very festive dish Ben with the highlight being the pomegranate. I have to get over to the forum and see your suggestions about lighting that Ivy mentions.
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
What a beautiful dish!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Great creativity my friend! The flavour combinations look outstanding. I’ve never considered using pomegranates this way!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
What an interesting flavor combo! It sounds so delicious and plates to beautifully!
Posted on December 8th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
That sounds fantastic, really Christmassy too!
Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Wow, Ben… that looks amazing!!
Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Festive-looking indeed! Great dish and one that goes into my to-do list. Thanks!
Posted on December 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
what a dish… imagine, pomegranate in a pasta sauce, simply awesome…
Posted on December 10th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Ben this looks awesome man. Pomegranate seeds make an excellent contrast to the ground meat. Delish!
Posted on December 10th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I love all the ways you have been using pomegranates lately!! This looks so good!
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 12:05 am
[...] What’s Cookin’ is an incredible blog and for Presto Pasta he has come up with Pomegranate Meatballs & Almond Sauce. Is this beautiful or [...]
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Ben, this looks beautiful and it’s one of the most original uses of pomegranate I’ve seen this month.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
What a wonderful festive dish. Perfect for the season. Thanks so much for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights. It’s always a treat to see what you come up with.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
You made such a beautiful meal.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Hi Ben,
First time here. You have a great place n I love mexican food….salsa and nachos are my fav.
(my mouths already watering)…lol
hey like ur idea with pomegranate in curry…neat!
i am new to blogosphere too. do stop bt my lil place once in a while
Zaayeka.
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 4:51 am
I’ll admit, I was intrigued by the title but had some reservations, but all I had to see was the photo. I seriously need to try this and am a total believer. The meatballs alone (and the sauce alone) both look like stunners, but all together, that looks like a heck of a dish.
Posted on December 14th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
This looks great. Pomegranate and almond are two of my favorite flavors, so this really called to me.
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
sounds like such an exotic dish. Beautiful combination!
Posted on January 8th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
You’re my kind of guy. No complaining about mixing sweet fruits with meats and other mumbo jumbo. Must say I haven’t tried mixing pomegranates with meat yet, but I will definitely give it a go.
Posted on January 16th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Sorry I can’t agree with you this dish just doesn’t appeal to me at all mixing fruit with a pasta dish of meat balls is a no no.
Posted on February 5th, 2009 at 5:30 am
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