Lately I have noticed there are a lot of pomegranate products being sold. So what is all the fuss about? All I ever new about pomegranates is they were fun to eat. Keep in mind I have not eaten one since I was about 10 years old. We shall learn together about the health benefits of the pomegranate. I am rather certain it is the health benefits that have made them so popular. Who knows, maybe along the way I might include a few delicious recipes!

Well as you may have noticed in the picture above, a pomegranate is a round fruit with juicy red seeds sitting inside a spongy membrane. It is the seeds that are edible and delicious. Now there are all kinds of pomegranate juices and recipes that use pomegranates popping up in stores and on the web everywhere.

There are several different kinds of pomegranate juices out there right now. One of the most popular is POM. You can find this in the produce aisle next to the other healthier juices.

What you can expect to find in the juice:

Other than being rich with flavor, in one serving of pomegranate juice is 40% of the daily recommended serving of vitamin C. It also has vitamins A, E, and folic acid. Pomegranate juice is also known for having plenty of antioxidants, about three times more per ounce than red wine or green tea says Tricia Ellis-Christensen - in What are the health benefits of pomegranate juice? Research also shows evidence that pomegranate juice may promote blood flow to the heart, lower cholesterol, and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Check your label!

As you may already know, not all products are the same. There will be some pomegranate juices that are a blend and may contain less of the vitamins mentioned above. Just as a general rule, I always recommend checking the labels of any products that make promises of better health.

In researching the benefits of pomegranates and pomegranate juice I discovered they also have vitamins. The vitamin offers the same health benefits of the juice and fruit its self, it is just in pill form which makes it a lot easier to swallow if you are not a fan of the juice or fruit flavor. There are a number of brands to be found all over the place. As I recommended before read your labels and I also suggest speaking with a doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins.

Pomegranate Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup pomegranate molasses

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 tablespoons honey

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

3/4 cup olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

6 cups lightly packed arugula, leafy hydroponic - if available

1 pomegranate, seeds only

1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings

1/4 cup toasted walnuts

1 shallot, sliced

To make vinaigrette, combine molasses, lemon juice, honey and vinegar in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while you whisk to emulsify. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Toss salad ingredients together and dress with the vinaigrette .

TYLER FLORENCE RECIPE from the Food Networks show TYLERS ULTIMATE

Winner of the Fried Chicken category!

Pomegranate and Mango Barbecue Sauce:

1 1/2 cups pitted and peeled mango

1 to 2 tablespoons water

1 cup pomegranate juice

1/4 cup tomato paste

2 teaspoons yellow mustard

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon liquid smoke

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup water

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Chicken Wings:

6 to 10 cups vegetable oil

2 dozen chicken drumettes

3 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons black pepper

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons paprika

2 eggs

1 cup evaporated milk

Puree the mango flesh in a food processor or blender (water may be needed to puree). Transfer puree to a large saucepan, and add remaining ingredients for the barbecue sauce. Mix together until all ingredients are combined, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered, for about 30 to 45 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.

Heat oil to 350 degrees F in a large Dutch oven or electric fryer. Rinse the chicken drumettes and pat dry with paper towels. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper; Set aside.

In a shallow bowl or resealable bag, combine remaining salt and pepper with the flour and paprika. In a separate dish, mix together the eggs and evaporated milk until well combined. Roll the seasoned chicken pieces in the flour, a few at a time, until well coated. Then, dip chicken in the milk and egg mixture, followed by another coat of seasoned flour. Allow the chicken to sit in the flour and dry out for about 5 minutes, ensuring that the coating will stay on better. Carefully add the chicken pieces to the fryer as will fit without touching. Do not crowd the pan or the temperature will lower, making the chicken greasy. Fry for 5 minutes, then turn the pieces over and fry the other side 5 minutes. Cook for about 10 minutes total, or until the pieces begin to float. Remove chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, about 5 minutes.

To serve, place the fried wings in a large bowl and toss with the barbecue sauce (or less, to taste). Refrigerate any leftover barbecue sauce.

Recipe by Eboni Williams on the Food Networks Utlimate Recipe Showdown

Pomegranate Cosmos

2 cups (16 ounces) good vodka (recommended: Stolichnaya or Finlandia)

1 cup (8 ounces) orange liqueur (recommended: Cointreau)

1 cup (8 ounces) pomegranate juice (recommended: Pom Wonderful)

1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)

Lime peel strips, to garnish

Combine the vodka, orange liqueur, pomegranate juice, and lime juice in a pitcher and refrigerate until ready to use. Pour the mixture into frozen martini glasses with a twist of lime peel and serve immediately

Recipe by: Food Network show Barefoot Contessa.

Pomegranate Gelatin

2 cups pomegranate juice, not from concentrate

2 envelopes unflavored gelatin

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Place 1/2 cup of the pomegranate juice into a medium mixing bowl and sprinkle the gelatin on top. Set aside.

Place the remaining juice and the sugar into a small saucepan and place over high heat. Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat and add to the juice and gelatin mixture, stirring to combine. Place the bowl into the refrigerator and chill, just until the mixture begins to set up, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and stir in the seeds. Place into a 2 cup mold of your choice or 4 1/2 cup individual molds and chill until set

Recipe by: Food Network show Good Eats

So it looks as though pomegranates are pretty darn good for you! Thanks to the Food Networks delicious list of available recipes, looks like they are pretty tastey too! I hope this information was as informative to you as it was to me. Please feel free to ad any other information you may have! HERES TO HEALTHY LIVING!