Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters
Simplify your holiday treat making with this easy two-ingredient recipe for Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters.Welcome to Day 10 of Home for the Holidays ... Gluten-Free Style. I have had a blast following this event and being a virtual guest in the homes of 25 food bloggers. Yesterday, over at Cook IT Allergy Free, Kim treated us to a Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Cinnamon Roll Cake and tomorrow the talented Brittany over at Real Sustenance will share one of her favorites—which I am sure will be divine. It has been a pretty tasty event!
If you have just joined us, here are the must-know details:
WHO: 25 gluten-free bloggers and host, Shirley of gluten free easily.
WHAT: Each sharing one recipe that means "home" and "holidays" to them.
WHEN: November 28 – December 23, 2011
WIN: Nearly 100 prizes are being given away—books, apps, magazine subscriptions, a shopping spree and the grand prize ... a Vitamix blender!!
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My mom, me, the best stepdad and dad anyone could ask for, my sister.When I reflect on Christmases of my childhood, "simplicity" comes to mind. There was nothing excessive about them—simple gifts, simple food. In retrospect, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. "Simple" meant we could be out the door by 10 and spending the rest of the day at Hapuna Beach! And yes, Santa does travel to Hawaii by canoe.
This year I thought I would follow in the footsteps of my parents. I have scaled back on the demands I would usually place on myself. The wrapping of gifts, the cooking, the baking, the getting ready for company. This year, we are going back to "simple"—and I can't wait!
Today I am sharing a two-ingredient recipe for chocolate pomegranate clusters. It's one I make with my boys—a tradition we have started and one that now means "home" and "holiday" to me.
If you love pomegranates like my boys do, you'll love this recipe. You take a bite ... sweet, decadent chocolate melts in your mouth ... and then, that burst of bright and tangy pomegranate juice. They are quite the delight and oh-so pretty! The husband calls them chocolate covered bugs. Boys!
Oh and read Shirley's post here. She's actually toured a pomegranate orchard and has quite a few pomegranate recipes on her blog.
Chocolate Pomegranate Clusters
Gluten-Free | Casein-Free | Citrus-Free | Corn-Free | Dairy-Free | Egg-Free | Fish-Free | Nightshade-Free | Peanut-Free | Potato-Free | Rice-Free | Shellfish-Free | Soy-Free | Tree Nut-Free | Wheat-Free | Grain-Free | Sesame-Free | Yeast-free | GFCF | Vegetarian | Vegan
Makes: 20
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup CHOCOLATE CHIPS (Enjoy Life® are gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free)
1 POMEGRANATE (I used POM Wonderful®)
Directions:
1. Slice pomegranate in half and then into quarters. Place in large bowl of water and soak 5 minutes. Begin to break pomegranate apart under water, allowing arils to fall to bottom of bowl. Remove rind and membranes. Remove seeds from bowl, picking out any debris. Place on a paper towel-lined plate and blot gently with more paper towels. Arils must be completely dry. Let me stress that again, completely dry. To ensure this, I leave them out to air dry further for a couple hours or place them on a plate in a barely heated oven (that has been turned off). Any residual moisture will prevent the chocolate from binding to the arils and the clusters will fall apart.
2. Line a mini muffin pan with 20 mini muffin cups/liners.
3. Pour chocolate chips into a heavy-duty zip top bag, shake down into one corner. Place in microwave and heat in 15-20 second intervals, removing each time to knead. Continue until chocolate is smooth and viscous. Squeeze chocolate down into one corner. Snip off a tiny corner to make a makeshift piping bag.
4. Drizzle chocolate into bottom of cups. Add a layer of pomegranate arils to each cup. Drizzle with more chocolate. Repeat so that you have four layers of chocolate and three layers of arils.
5. Allow to harden in a cool, dry place.
How to Remove Seeds (Arils) From a Pomegranate
Slice pomegranate in half (or quarters) and place in large bowl of water to soak for 5 minutes. Begin to break pomegranate apart under the water, allowing arils to fall to bottom of bowl. Remove rind and membranes. Remove seeds from bowl, picking out any bits of membrane. Place on a paper-towel lined plate and blot gently with more paper towels until arils are completely dry.
Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes
Check back daily for updates to list of Home for the Holidays ... Gluten-Free Style blog posts and the daily giveaways being hosted.
DAY 1 gfe–gluten free easily … Nutmeg Shortbread Flats
DAY 2 The WHOLE Gang … Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Toffee
DAY 3 Adventures of a Gluten-Free Mom … Gluten-Free Fritters
DAY 4 The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen
DAY 5 And Love it, Too!… GF, DF Chocolate Pecan “Toll House” Pie
DAY 6 Paleo Parents … Paleo Monkey Bread
DAY 7 She Let Them Eat Cake … GF, DF Candy Cane Ice Cream
DAY 8 Gluten Free For Good …Red Chile Enchilada Casserole
DAY 9 Cook IT Allergy Free … Cinnamon Bun Cake
DAY 10 Lexie at Lexie’s Kitchen ... the post you are reading
DAY 11 Real Sustenance ...Chocolate Cinnamon Babka Bread
DAY 12 Elana’s Pantry ... Gingerbread Apple Crisp
DAY 13 The Spunky Coconut ... Peanut Butter Pie
DAY 14 Diet, Dessert and Dogs ... Anti-Candida Mint Chocolate Truffles
DAY 15 The Daily Dietribe ... Cream Cheese Cookies
DAY 16 Gluten Free by Nature ... Pumpkin Chocolate Cookies
DAY 17 Jules Speaks Gluten Free ... Cinnamon Sticky Rolls (in the crockpot!)
DAY 18 Silvana’s Kitchen ... Pine Nut Cookies
DAY 19 Gluten-Free Cat ... Christmas Breakfast Casserole
DAY 20 Simply Gluten Free ... Eggs Florentine
DAY 21 Alisa Cooks ...Pumpkin Bread
DAY 22 The Gluten-Free Homemaker ... Cinnamon Rolls
DAY 23 Gluten Free Gigi ... Magical Seven-Layer Bars
DAY 24 Z’s Cup of Tea
DAY 25 Lillian’s Test Kitchen
DAY 26 gfe—gluten free easily
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If you have a blog and want to share your favorite gluten-free recipe that means “home” and “holidays” to you, please feel free to grab the badge for your post (kindly linking back to Home for the Holidays – Gluten free Style, of course)!
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Reader Comments (319)
We are not buying gifts this year! Our gifts are taken care of... a new TV and a new puppy. We plan to share the day with his Mom & Dad enjoying a simple GF meal that I prepare. It will be so nice to not have a big bustling day. I can't wait. Stress free and easy!
I shared this page and giveaway on Twitter.
I'm making my holiday simple by spending it at home with my family.
Since either my fiance's family or my side of the family host the various holidays, our holidays are already pretty simple. :)
I made fruit butters (apple, fig, pear, cherry) and am giving those as Christmas gifts this year. That makes it so much simpler. The gifts are made. All that is left is delivery.... Really has helped me shift gears as I'm not worried about picking up last minute gifts...
Shared on FB :)
Love these beautiful little treats and plan to take them to 2 upcoming events... thanks! We are simplifying drastically here since there will likely be just the two of us for the actual Christmas event... I'm not totally unpacking and putting up all the decorations this year, small tree, and more emphasis on celebrating with our Church family and 'guests' who come out to our Annual Church Christmas Dinner, mostly the homeless folks from across the street from the Church. they have become the focus of our outreach in the past couple of years and many have begun to make our Church "home" which is lovely. Merry Christmas to you!
The holidays are pretty simple for me already. All my family lives half a continent away so I don't generally get to spend time with them. This year, my next door neighbor and I will be having Christmas dinner together. She's making lamb. We also spent Thanksgiving together. Seems silly for two single women with no family nearby to spend the holidays alone. I don't even do much (if any) decorating. With four cats who think decorations are just fancy cat toys, I decided it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to cat-proof them. This year I bought a "kissing ball" (kind of like a wreath but in a ball shape) and hung it in the front hallway well out of reach of any kitteny claws.
these look so good. i found you through the spunky coconut and am loving all the fresh ideas. we are a family of six going on 7 and all are gluten free...
i will have to make these with the kids later today!
This year we are spending time everyday doing something holiday crafts, holiday decoration, baking, visiting family and friends, seeing the lights drinking hot cocoa. This year is all about the little joys of the holiday and a lot less about gifts
These look soo yummy! I will have to make them! ~after I buy a muffin pan lol
Great looking recipe... about to head outside and pick a pomegranate to make up a batch. Cheers. Recipe also shared on Facebook :)
Oh my word! I love chocolate poms! This is perfect!
Shared this post on Facebook.
We are simplifying by staying home this Christmas! It's wonderful.
shared on Facebook!
We are going to stay close to home, cook a simple holiday meal and play board games like there is no tomorrow!
Simplify? Holiday. Simplify. Nope. Does not compute. Error. Error. 'Sides I've gotta go find some Pomegranates because I've never seen a more festive treat. :-)
Love waking up to see if I get a new post from your site everyday!! :) Cannot wait to make the newest treat you shared (choc/pomogranite). What a great treat for the whole family. Thanks for all that you do to share your little treasures and finds :).
Happy Holidays.
Just shared this on FB.
We're cutting back on the presents this year and just focusing on buying for the kids. Not only does this help the budget and reduce the to do list, it simplifies by cutting down on the amount of "stuff" in our house. Thanks!
What a beautiful presentation! I will definitely try to make these. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Simplifying the holidays by choosing not to travel, enjoying stress-free evenings at home with our two boys, and donating to family members' favorite causes/charities in lieu of buying more stuff.
Shared the post on Twitter, @littleredplane
Instead of doing a dinner party, I'm hosting a party with hors d'oeuvres instead. Simplify!
Shared it on Facebook!
Posted on Facebook.
I tweeted. @gfreemaui
Our little tree produced one pomegranate and now I know what I'm going to do with it! My goal this year was to be less busy and more contemplative, but I haven't been very successful. I just keep saying yes, but after the 16th our family is officially shutting down and just spending time with each other and close family members. No events, plays, or parties.
No simplifying going on here! It's my first year in grad school in another state (I'll be taking my 9 hour drive home in a couple of weeks), and my twin sister is off in Japan, so we've already mailed our box of presents to her and plan to meet over Skype. So not nearly as simple as past years, but it should be a wonderful time!
Just found this site, excited to try some of the recipes!
We are not simplifying or making the holidays more crazy. We are doing the same old thing, which we love, again this year. Family, food and fun. Thank you for a great giveaway. I would adore owning any of these books. Cooking is something I enjoy, but at which I do not excel. Again, thank you!
We are in the process of moving, so our Christmas celebrations will not be as "big" as usual, but we will be just as busy! I can't wait to try this recipe - I've never had pomegranates! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
This year I am not stressing over the holidays from decorating to baking to shopping. Trying to just enjoy the season with my kids instead and make family memories. Christmas cards will be sent electronically this year.
Facebook :0)
I keep things simple for the holidays by spreading out the work and cooking.
I shared this post with my friends on facebook!
No holiday plans! What could be more simple than that?
We have staged a Christmas Revolution this year and are refusing to travel to anyone's home on the 24th through 26th of December. Instead, we are "simplifying" the holidays by having everyone (22 people!) over to our house for Christmas dinner!
What a great way to use pomegranates, thank you! I am going to try to simplify our Christmas by having our Open House on the 23rd instead of the 25th.
This year I am trying to make as many items as possible (including edible gifts).
Posted on Facebook
My husband and I are simplifying by simply staying at home and relaxing by ourselves.
I love how the chocolate pomegranate clusters are GF and Vegan!!!! I double hooray in my book! Keep up the great ideas and recipes:)
Shared on Facebook
These look delicious! We have a few pomegranates we haven't opened yet, and at least one will be used to make these! I opened this link after someone shared on fb - just for the recipe (had no idea there was a giveaway! How cool!) :)
We are simplifying by not trying to make all kinds of baked goodies for friends/family/teachers, like we usually do. We'll do something else for teachers that is simple and easy. Now that we're gluten-free, that's one more reason to not mess with it all (I don't want to be making a bunch of things I can't eat to give away right now - not b/c I don't care about others having it but I don't want to buy a lot of ingredients that we can't use after the treats are made), but it's also just stressful, so it's out of the equation! :)
Shared on facebook on my personal page (https://www.facebook.com/daisyraine.adkins) and my blog fan page (https://www.facebook.com/ourgrowingfam). Can't wait to make these!!!
Shared on twitter! :) @ourgrowingfam
I'll be simplifying by making these clusters. I've made them in the past by pouring the arils into the melted chocolate & then scooping clusters out with a fork, however yours are much prettier & simpler.
I don't know if you will count this or not. I don't take part in the holidays---but I do SO APPRECIATE all these wonderful blogs that help me simplify and live life to the fullest.
my holidays start on the 10th with a simple dinner for 6: beef braciole, whipped root vegetables, zucchini crudo, and a warm spinach and mushroom salad.