Pomegranate Molasses Butter Food

POMEGRANATE SYRUP OR MOLASSES

Steps:

• For Syrup: Place the pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in a 4-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture has reduced to 1 1/2 cups, approximately 50 minutes. It should be the consistency of syrup. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the saucepan for 30 minutes. Transfer to a glass jar and allow to cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
• For Molasses: Place the pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in a 4-quart saucepan set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the mixture has reduced to 1 cup, approximately 70 minutes. It should be the consistency of thick syrup. Remove from the heat and allow to cool in the saucepan for 30 minutes. Transfer to a glass jar and allow to cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

HOMEMADE POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Wash the pomegranates. Roll them around until they soften, then break up the pomegranates under water to keep juice from spurting. Give a good bang with the back of the knife to loosen the seeds of each section.
• To squeeze out the juice: Wrap a handful of seeds in cheesecloth, then use your hands to squeeze into a bowl to obtain the rich, shiny liquid. Repeat wit the remaining seeds. (Do not use a juicer. Pomegranate juice stains are difficult to remove, and the bitter, tannic white part of the fruit gets mixed in and mars the flavor).
• Place pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice in an enameled saucepan and slowly reduce by boiling to 2 cups. Cool, bottle, and keep refrigerated.

POMEGRANATE MOLASSES BUTTER

Steps:

• Whip the butter until smooth in an electric mixer. Add in the pomegranate molasses and orange zest and beat until smooth. Transfer to a ramekin. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
• Serve on pancakes, muffins, biscuits or scones.

POMEGRANATE MOLASSES BUTTER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch-square baking pan, dust lightly with flour and knock out excess.
• Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, combine milk and 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses.
• In a large bowl, cream together stick of butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each until well combined.
• Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk mixture. (Begin and end with flour, and mix after each addition until just combined.)
• Pour batter into pan and bake until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 to 40 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges, turn cake out onto a rack, and then turn right side up again.
• Whisk together confectioners' sugar, cream, and 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses. Brush glaze over cake, letting it drip down sides.
• In a small, preferably nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, combine nuts, 1 teaspoon pomegranate molasses and 4 teaspoons sugar. Stir constantly and watch carefully until sugar melts and coats nuts, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle over top of cake.

POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Bring the pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice to a simmer in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once the sugar has dissolved, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the juice has reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 1 hour. Stir the molasses frequently as it thickens to keep it from burning. When the molasses is done, allow it to cool to room temperature, then pour into a glass storage container, and keep in the refrigerator.