Super Fruit of the Season: Pomengranate

It's the season for Pomegranates! They are super nutritious and healthy. A method to choosing great Pomegranates is by how dark red the outer skin is. Since most fruit markets tend to pick them much earlier before they are ripe, you will also want to wait until the skin has a somewhat soft texture before considering opening it up. You should be able to dent the skin with a gentle press with your finger nails. Also another good indicator is by looking at the crown top of the fruit. You'll see a bunch of thin pedals inside and as it concave inwards towards the center that means it's ready to consume.

Pomegranates have one of the most powerful anti-oxidants of all fruits. Anti-oxidants help protect healthy cells from damage caused by normal body functions. This fruit has potent anti-cancer and immune supporting effects as well. Helps lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, and other cardiac risk factors. Studies have also shown that it helps protect/relieve against depression and osteoporosis.

When was the last time you had a Pomegranate???

Russian Food featuring the Shashlik!

There's a nice little hidden gem in San Diego that serves great authentic Russian food. I always take my visitors here whenever they want to try something new (outside their food comfort level) and usually they are pleasantly surprised by the food every time!  As spoiled from my post title, their Meat Shashliks are great!

Shashlik directly translated is "skewered meat" and was originally made of lamb. Now it can be offered as beef, chicken, and pork! Each is marinated overnight with some herbs and spices, vinegar, dry wine, and some sour fruits/vegetables and cooked on a grill called a "Mangal". The Shashliks here were served with a side of rice and roasted bell peppers, olives, and onions.

My group ordered the available meats and each was cooked perfectly! Cudos especially to the pork loin as pork is a tricky meat to cook properly and thoroughly without overcooking it. Give this a place a try and let me know! Where's your place for authentic Russian food??

Name:  Pomegranate
Yelp: Click Here!!!
Google Maps: Click Here!!!

Bread served with Dill-Infused Butter

Russian Soda (Pear Soda) - delicious!

Siberian Dumplings

Chicken Shashlik!

Lamb Shashlik!

Pork Shashlik!