I discovered the flavour of pomegranate molasses at a Syrian restaurant in Yerevan, Armenia. My taste buds had never experienced anything like it before and I was instantly in love with what I would soon learn to be a food product to consume my life. I am referring to the hunt I went on after returning home. What was this stuff and where could I find it? Eventually I found a bottle in Sainsbury's (and have since found it in a few other places in London) and went home to try to re-create the masterpiece of a meal I'd had in this Syrian cafe on the streets of Yerevan.
If you've never experienced the sweet-tart taste of pomegranate molasses, I suggest you hunt a bottle down. I would probably have to say that in 2006 it was my food discovery of the year!
This treat is fabulous served with fresh bread, like Syrian onion bread, pitta or lavash as part of a great mezze spread.
Roasted Red Pepper and Pomegranate Salad
- Directions/Method
- First roast the bell pepper. You can do this under a grill or on your hob if you've got a gas burner. If you're unsure, here are some good instructions.
- Peel the charred skin from the peppers and cut the vegetable into thin slices.
- Heat a small saucepan over a medium heat and add olive oil and cumin for a few seconds. Then add pepper slices, pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, and sugar (quantities can of course be adjusted to taste).
where in London? I have another recipe I really want to try which asks for pomegranate syrup, and I haven't been able to find it so far...
Hi Sudu,
I have found it in Sainsbury's, but that's in Crawley and not London (it was section that has all the fancy "international" stuff, not the general foreign foods aisle with Asian, Mexican etc products.
There's one place in London I have seen definitely has it, but for the life of me can't remember the name. I was with a friend and she was doing the directions while I was doing the ooh-ing and ahh-ing. My friend says it was at the end of Ridley Rd at Dalston Junction (still Hackney, I think?). If you walk through the market area it's the grocery store across the street on the corner...
I might be going back to that area on Sunday. If I do, I'll give you an actual store name! 🙂
Thanks - I have found some now - in Peckham of all places! (in the Persian grocery - it's called Persepolis)
Woohoo! Glad you found it and I hope you find it as amazing as I do. I'll have to check Perseopolis out some time myself...
Dear Kip,
I just made the Roasted Red Pepper and Pomegranate Salad - it was beyond fabulous! Completely dreamy and works with everything. (ahem) You aren't single, by any chance, are you?
Sincerely etc,
Smita
😀
Smita,
Glad you liked it! Isn't the pom molasses amazing stuff? Married, sadly, but if things ever go sour I'll be sure to let you know! Thanks for the great feedback and compliment!
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