Explore the world from your kitchen

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These days, families are looking to be mindful of budgets while still having fun. One way folks can spice up their lives is by discovering new, exotic flavors from around the world right in their own kitchens — and incorporating pomegranate flavor instantly adds international intrigue!

Pomegranate is a mysterious fruit with amazing versatility! As an ingredient, pomegranate can be used as a tantalizing entr e marinade, a zingy salad dressing, or the perfect mixer for flavorful cocktails and mocktails.

Spanish, Portuguese, Greek and Latin American cultures have all incorporated the flavor into their own unique cuisines.

Why not create a dinner for your family themed around a region of the world? The Greek Cranberry Pomegranate Marinated Roast Leg of Lamb creates a truly memorable dinner that evokes the spirit of the Mediterranean. In Greece, the pomegranate has been a symbol for good fortune for centuries! If you’re looking to entertain, host a cocktail party featuring a signature drink like Cranberry Pomegranate Sangria inspired by the flavors of Spain.

Add in a trivia game about the country for your friends and family to play as a perfect way to tie the fiesta together.

Cranberry Pomegranate Sangria

1‚Ñ4cup Ocean Spray Æ Craisins Æ Original Sweetened Dried Cranberries

1tablespoon sugar

2tablespoons water

1‚Ñ2cup brandy

1750-milliliter bottle dry red wine, chilled

3cups Ocean Spray Æ Cran ∑Pomegranate‚Ñ¢ Cranberry Pomegranate Juice Drink, chilled

1cup orange juice, chilled

1orange, thinly sliced

21‚Ñ2 cups club soda, chilled

Combine sweetened dried cranberries, sugar and water in small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat for 3 minutes or until sugar is dissolved and cranberries are plumped. Stir in brandy. Let cool.

Combine brandy mixture, wine, cranberry pomegranate juice drink and orange juice in large pitcher. Add orange slices. Mix well and chill. Stir in club soda just before serving.

Makes 10 servings.

Fruity Green Salad With Ruby Pomegranate Dressing

Salad:

6ounces mixed baby salad greens

1cup blackberries

1‚Ñ2cup Ocean Spray Æ Craisins Æ Original Sweetened Dried Cranberries

1‚Ñ4cup toasted slivered almonds

Dressing:

1‚Ñ4cup Ocean Spray Æ Ruby Pomegranate Grapefruit Juice Drink

1teaspoon lemon juice

1‚Ñ2teaspoon sugar

1‚Ñ4cup mayonnaise

2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Toss together all salad ingredients in large bowl. Divide equally among 4 salad plates.

Whisk together ruby pomegranate juice drink, lemon juice and sugar in small bowl. Add mayonnaise and oil. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Drizzle over salads.

Makes 4 servings.

Pomegranate Berry Smoothies

2cups Ocean Spray Æ Cran ∑Pomegranate‚Ñ¢ Cranberry Pomegranate Juice Drink

1cup frozen unsweetened red raspberries

1cup strawberry sorbet

Combine cranberry pomegranate juice drink and raspberries in large blender. Blend on high speed for 15 seconds or until smooth and slushy. Add sorbet. Blend on medium speed for 5 seconds or until mixed.

Makes 2 servings.

Lentil-Split Pea-Pomegranate Soup

3tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1large onion, chopped

2cloves garlic, minced

1teaspoon ground coriander

1teaspoon ground turmeric

314-ounce cans vegetable or chicken broth

1cup lentils, rinsed and sorted

1cup yellow split peas, rinsed and sorted

2cups Ocean Spray Æ Cran ∑Pomegranate‚Ñ¢ Cranberry Pomegranate Juice Drink

1‚Ñ2cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, chopped

1‚Ñ4cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, chopped

Salt and pepper

1lime, cut into small wedges

4green onions, sliced

Heat oil in 3 to 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, coriander and turmeric. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Add broth, lentils and split peas. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer 30-35 minutes or until split peas are desired tenderness. Stir in cranberry pomegranate juice drink, parsley and mint. Return to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Squeeze lime juice over individual servings and sprinkle with green onions.

Makes 6 servings.

Greek Cranberry Pomegranate Marinated Roast Leg Of Lamb

13-pound leg of lamb, butterflied

2tablespoons lemon juice

1tablespoon dried oregano, preferably Greek oregano

6garlic cloves, minced

Salt and pepper

2cups Ocean Spray Æ 100% Cranberry & Pomegranate Juice

2tablespoons olive oil

Unroll lamb and trim any excess fat. Make 1-inch slits with knife all over lamb. Combine lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl and rub over all sides of lamb and into slits.

Place lamb in resealable plastic bag; add cranberry-pomegranate juice and place in 13x9-inch pan. Refrigerate 4 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.

When ready to bake, heat oven to 450 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil; place a wire rack over pan. Spray rack and pan with cooking spray. Remove lamb from marinade; discard marinade. Blot lamb dry with paper towel; brush with olive oil. Place on wire rack.

Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until internal thermometer reaches 132 degrees for medium-rare in the thickest part.

Makes 6 servings.