Pomegranate, Gold Beet, and Orange Salad

Makes 4 first-course servings
4 medium Gold Beets
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup blood orange juice (from about 1 blood orange)
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses*
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
3 blood oranges, peeled, cut into1/4-inch-thick slices
1 cup pomegranate seeds (from one 11-ounce pomegranate)


Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beets in roasting pan and toss with 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add 1/4 cup water. Cover pan with foil; roast beets until knife easily pierces center, about 50 minutes. Cool. Peel beets and cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges.
Whisk orange juice, pomegranate molasses, vinegar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in large bowl to blend. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Place onion in small bowl; cover with cold water. Soak onion 1 minute, drain, and squeeze dry in kitchen towel. Add beets, onion, orange slices, and pomegranate seeds to vinaigrette in bowl; toss. Season salad with salt and pepper.

Garbanzo Salad with Pomegranate Seed

Serves 6
Ingredients
1 teaspoon ground Cumin
1/3 cup lime or Lemon juice
1 tablespoon Sugart
1/2 chopped fresh Avocado
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 cup Pomegranate seeds
2 cans (15 oz. each) Garbanzos, rinsed and drained
1 cup peeled, diced (1/2-in. cubes) Zucchini
1/2 cup chopped mild onion
Salt and pepper
Preparation
1. In a 6- to 8-inch frying pan over low heat, stir cumin until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Scrape cumin into a large bowl and add lime juice, sugar, chopped cilantro, and cayenne.
2. Add pomegranate seeds, garbanzos, cucumber, and onion to bowl. Mix and add salt and pepper to taste.