Pomegranate Sumac Vinaigrette With Pom Molasses is a Mediterranean twist on sweet, sour, spicy and tangy flavor that is great on salads yet perfect for marinades.
Fresh Pomegranates and Pomegranate Juice
Having grown up in a home influenced by Middle Eastern Cuisines, lemon was often the juice added to so many of the recipes we cook with.
Lemons are the base in most salad dressings instead of balsamic vinegar, as is often used in European cooking.
They are used to marinate meat, flavor savory dishes and desserts.
Pomegranate is an unusual fruit, rich in history, in that it can be as tart and acidic in flavor as a lemon and yet somehow sweet, in an earthy kind of way.
Pomegranate juice is ideal for both sweet or savory dishes.
The acidic levels in pomegranate juice make it idea to tenderize or braise meat while imparting a flavor that is subtle and earthy.
Adds depth of flavor in both meat or seafood Tajines.
Also makes for the perfect Martini!
Pom Molasses
A beautiful sweet/sour combination for the base in the exotic flavors of this vinaigrette, occurs when blending the sour of the pomegranate juice with the sweetened condensed reduction of pom molasses.
This combo is what inspired my pomegranate molasses salad dressing.
Buy Or Make Pomegranate Molasses
While Pomegranate Molasses is often found in Middle Eastern markets, it is easily made at home.
It is simply; pomegranate juice and sugar boiled down until it is reduced to a molasses.
Stored in a jar in the fridge, means no additives or preservatives to extend its shelf life.
Sumac – The Middle Eastern Spice That Finally Made Its Way To America!
Back, when I was growing up, my mother’s spice rack looked pretty barren compared to mine now.
If I remember correctly, we had dried herbs, like oregano and marjoram, yet never fresh.
Of coarse kosher salt and black pepper and probably garlic powder, which I would never use now.
This amazing spice, sumac, was not yet in my mother’s pantry, but it sure is in mine now!
What Is Sumac
Throughout Mediterranean regions, the interesting sumac shrub bares tiny red berry-like fruits that are slightly acid, like a lemon.
When they are dried and crushed into a powder, known as ground sumac, the flavor is absolutely exotic.
I’ve used sumac in too many recipes to remember, but for sure when I make Koftas, or my homemade Za’atar spice mix.
A drizzle of olive oil Pita bread with a sprinkle of sumac is perfect to accompany any meal.
From an American perspective, looking to spice American dishes up, a sprinkle of sumac in plain or exotic Deviled Eggs is an absolute treat!
Middle Eastern Cooking Wins The Prize For Such Diversity In Flavors!
Middle Eastern food encompasses a variety of varied regions throughout the Middle East.
From Syria, because of periodic times of occupation by France, has the presence of flavors found throughout the countryside of France.
To Saudi Arabia, rich in both its land animal influence of lamb, goat and camel to its enormous consumption of seafood.
Homemade Pomegranate Salad Dressing
This sweet, sour and tangy salad dressing is ideal for salads that incorporate fruit, or roots, such as beets or carrots.
Salad dressing is not just for salads though.
I often use my homemade salad dressings to marinate or flavor meats or fish that is to be roasted.
All the flavors needed to spruce up a sauce are in this salad dressing.
It could almost be considered a sauce as well!
Since I roast lamb often, you can believe I brush my pomegranate sumac vinaigrette across the meat while it roasts.
How To Make Pomegranate Vinaigrette With Homemade Pom Molasses
Once you have either purchased or made the pomegranate molasses, the rest is easy.
I like to use (probably collect), a glass jar with a lid, such as a Mason jar old jelly jars I often save, especially when the shape is unusual.
Place the dressing ingredients into the glass jar, give a good hard shake and the dressing is ready to use, or will store for a week in the fridge.
Good Quality Salad Dressings Are What MAKE A Great Salad
While I have a variety of Mediterranean influenced salad dressings and vinaigrettes that I make:
- Mediterranean Lemon Salad Dressing and Marinade – citrus, garlic, herbs and lots of olive oil for great flavor and emulsification
- Strawberry Vinaigrette – sweet, sour and a bit of heat from chili flakes makes this perfect over meats as well as salads
- Tahini Salad Dressing – the crushed sesame seed paste, known as tahini, along with lemon and olive oil, make for a nutty flavored dressing
A great salad needs only simple ingredients, when it has a complex flavored salad dressing.
For sure, a salad of raw fresh veggies, with a drizzle of Pomegranate Vinaigrette could easily be a complete meal.
However, a bowl of leafy greens, green onions, fresh herbs, toss in a few cherry tomatoes and olive oil and sumac basted leftover pita bread, makes for a fabulous Middle Eastern salad, sometimes known as ‘bread salad’.
Oh, and don’t forget the goat cheese!
Great Salads Year Round
Fresh salads are just a wise way to eat, year round.
Make a traditional Lebanese Fattoush salad, which is basically chopped romaine lettuce, red onion, fresh tomatoes, Persian cucumbers and fried bread that looks like homemade pita chips.
Or keep it simple with chopped lettuce, room temperature juicy tomatoes and some English cucumbers.
Whichever type of salad you choose, treat yourself to the unforgettable tangy dressing of Pomegranate Sumac Vinaigrette with Pom Molasses and indulge in a great meal!
Ingredients Needed
- Pomegranate Molasses
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Sumac spice
- Garlic
- Salt
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Garlic crush
- Citrus press
- Measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Airtight jar
Pomegranate Sumac Vinaigrette With Pom Molasses
Equipment
- 8 oz. Mason jar
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Pomegranate molasses/Pomegranate syrup Homemade
- 2 tbsp Fresh Pomegranate juice
- 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon juice or red wine vinegar
- 2 Garlic cloves crushed
- 1 tbsp Sumac spice
- 1/2 cup Extra virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 tsp Aleppo pepper
- Pinch of salt
- Pomegranate seeds (optional) for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, or shaker jar place the ingredients. Whisk well, or shake until well emulsified.
- Keeps in the fridge for about one month.
Video
Pomegranate Sumac Vinaigrette With Pom Molasses
ENJOY!
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.