By Tara Parker-Pope
- Total Time
- Total cooking time: 15 min.
- Rating
- 4(251)
- Notes
- Read community notes
This colorful salad of red pomegranate seeds, Romaine lettuce and roasted sesame seeds, dressed with a fresh pomegranate juice and honey dressing, sets a festive tone for any holiday table.
Sadhna Sheli, a reader from Los Angeles, sent us this recipe which is popular with both adults and kids. “Kids will like it because it has that sweet element to it,” said Ms. Sheli.
Featured in: Vegetarian Thanksgiving: Pomegranate Salad
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Ingredients
Yield:4 servings
- 2tablespoons sesame seeds
- ¼cup mild tasting olive oil
- 2tablespoons pomegranate juice
- 2tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 2tablespoons date syrup
- 2tablespoons honey
- Himalayan pink salt or sea salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 9oz bag romaine or butter lettuce
- ½cup pomegranate seeds
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
265 calories; 16 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 11 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 31 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 27 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 332 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
Step
1
In a small dry skillet toast sesame seeds over medium heat until light brown in color, about 3 to 5 minutes. Pour sesame seeds out onto a paper towel to cool.
Step
2
Whisk together olive oil, pomegranate juice, pomegranate molasses, date syrup, honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step
3
Arrange lettuce in large bowl or platter. Top with pomegranate seeds and sesame seeds, add dressing and toss. Serve immediately.
Ratings
4
out of 5
251
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Cooking Notes
Marian V.
I hesitate to say I made this. I did not have date syrup, sesame seeds or pomegranate juice. But I had a pomegranate I needed to use. My dressing was probably a little tarter than intended but I like my dressing that way. I would make this again.
self
Did it without date syrup because everyone was afraid it would be too sweet. All loved it, but agreed leaving date syrup out was a good decision.
Sue Llewellyn
No honey here; by choice rather than lack of availability, I figured date syrup would be sweet enough. For us the balance of tartness and sweetness was perfect--and the whole thing was so attractive!
Alex
I replaced the sesame seeds with sunflower seeds.
LaLaMaMa
I, too, was intimidated by the pomegranate molasses in this recipe. However, it turned out that Wegmans had it! If you have an ethnic grocery or otherwise well stocked market in your area, it’s worth seeking it out. I could see this pomegranate molasses being a very exciting ingredient in other sauces and dressings. For this salad, I made the dressing as written. It needs the sweetness to balance out the tartness of the pomegranate and the bitterness of the sesame seeds.
Debbie
I added 1 T of lime juice as I enjoy a tarter dressing. We have a pomegranate tree so I also used fresh juice. Ithe date syrup added a depth of flavor so I didn’t want to forgo it. I also added avacado and baby cucumbers for a creamy crunchier texture
Dinah
So funny. Someone below said: "I have pomegranate molasses but date syrup....?" Whereas I thought to myself after I found date syrup at Fairway: "Really? Pomegranate molasses? Where the heck do you get that?" Obscure ingredients might benefit from links to homemade recipes or links to stores that carry?
Leni
Pomegranate molasses are a speciality from Lebanon.
Sheila
I tripled the recipe and did not use the date syrup or the pomegranate molasses. I did find the seeds from one pomegranate made 6 T of juice. The toasted sesame seeds were superior. I will make this again.
Mead
A big hit here at my last dinner party — simple, easy to prep in advance, tasty, and looked great on the holiday table.
Maureen McHale
Very tasty. We have a lot pomegranates ripening on our tree. I tripled the recipe and did not use the date syrup or the pomegranate molasses. I did find the seeds from one pomegranate made 6 T of juice. The toasted sesame seeds were superior. I will make this again.
Kelly Cutrone
I did not use the date syrup - I did learn how to make date syrup - heat dates w/ water = date syrup. This was such an elegant and amazing salad
Carol
I live in a major city, purchase many relatively obscure ingredients and am a reasonably competent cook. I keep pomegranate molasses in my refrigerator. But DATE SYRUP???? Couldn't the NY TImes have offered an appropriate substitue???? I'm not buying it (assuming I can find it) for one recipe....
Alex
I made this for my family on Thanksgiving, and I decided to leave out the molasses, sea salt, pom juice, and date syrup, but it turned out really well!
Alex
I replaced the sesame seeds with sunflower seeds.
Carol Bream
Our dessert was an apple crumble (with kiwi and raspberries, too), served with vanilla ice cream. We used oatmeal instead of flour for the topping. Yum!!! Again, a great recipe from your site!
Carol Bream
We and our guests loved this. We served it as the salad course after roast chicken coated with a sauce of Dijon mustard, garlic, herbes de provence, black pepper, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The chicken was served with a roasted winter vegetables recipe from your wonderful collection!! Thank you so much!!!!
Roxanne
Does anyone think pepitas (pumpkin seeds) instead of sesame could work?
Shawn
Yes, I love pepitas in my salads and I have mixed them with pomegranate seeds. But to bring out their flavor, you have to roast them first in a hot, dry pan until they pop. Throw them on at the very end so they don't get soggy in the dressing.
Sue Llewellyn
No honey here; by choice rather than lack of availability, I figured date syrup would be sweet enough. For us the balance of tartness and sweetness was perfect--and the whole thing was so attractive!
self
Did it without date syrup because everyone was afraid it would be too sweet. All loved it, but agreed leaving date syrup out was a good decision.
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