Pomegranate

Start in the morning so mousse has time to chill and granita has time to freeze.

One cute cocktail contains only 7 grams of sugar—including the candy cane. Sip and stay sleek!

Pomegranate (originally from the Middle East) brings sweetness; chiles (from Mexico) bring heat. This can be made with chicken breasts instead, but be sure to roast them until cooked through.

You might rub elbows with Reese Witherspoon or Molly Sims at this sushi spot on L.A.'s famed Sunset Strip. Besides raw-fish delicacies, innovative beverages are served up at the loungelike space. Hipster tipplers can sip the restaurant's Pomegranate Cocktail, which is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants that help protect your ticker.

Jazz up your winter repertoire with a tangy, colorful pomegranate dressing that melds fennel and oranges with salty Pecorino

In these spectacular cocktail-ring-proportioned bites, the date purée gives surprising depth to the silky richness of foie gras. Add pomegranate seeds—a gorgeous garnet crown—for a burst of sour-sweet juice and a little crunch.

Like Jell-O, but all grown up, these tart little puddings have a bracing fruitiness that is just what's needed after a sumptuous holiday spread. The scarlet juices of pomegranates, lingonberries, and raspberries are bound into a very soft gelée.

This holiday twist on the traditional brunch cocktail sparkles ruby red with pomegranate juice, its tart intensity offset by a hint of sweetness from fresh orange juice and Cointreau.

Folding fruit into guacamole is an inspired tradition in Mexican cooking. Tropical mangoes are a natural pairing, their silky flesh adding a subtle tartness to creamy avocado. To herald the holiday season, pomegranate seeds flash bright red against the guacamole's cilantro-flecked green. Head over here for our guide to how to cut a pomegranate.

A refreshingly tart version of classic cranberry sauce. If you want it sweeter, just add more sugar.

Sweet-tart pomegranate adds intriguing depth to this braise. It can be made with boneless or bone-in meat. If using boneless, buy a half pound less lamb.

Texture and flavor contrasts make for an addictive side dish or starter.

A homespun look meets exotic flavor.

Pomegranate seeds add brightness to the look and flavor of this starter.

Pomegranate juice adds tartness to this famous French dessert.

We heart this dish. Pomegranate may protect your arteries against LDL ("bad") cholesterol.