POMEGRANATE CREAM CHEESE PIE

 

 

POMEGRANATE CREAM CHEESE PIE

 

 

I recently stumbled on this wonderful recipe in one of my fellow pie enthusiasts, Kelly Jaggers' cookbook, Not-So-Humble Pie:  An Iconic Dessert, All Dressed Up,  and knew immediately that this was one worth sharing.  Despite the fact that pomegranates have for centuries been a culinary delight for millions of people, I must confess, I was a stranger to this delicacy until somewhat recently.  Some things are worth waiting for!  Both to taste and enjoy, as well as to learn about.

 

Naturally, being one who enjoys both history and pie, I was thrilled to learn that this little gem was more than just a new twist on an old favorite, but has so much wonderful history and tradition.  I'll leave you all to read up on some fascinating cultural customs on your own, but I do want to share a few fun factoids that I gleaned:

 

*  The pomegranate can trace its humble roots back to 6000 BC as possibly the first official cultivated fruit.

 

*  Many ancient religions and faiths hold the pomegranate special or sacred in their traditions.  Some of them include:

 

   *  Buddhism:  Considered one of 3 blessed fruits.  Representative of the essence of favorable influences in art and culture.

 

   *  Judaism:  Symbolic of righteousness.  Hebrew faith believes in 613 Mitzvot, or commandments.  The pomegranate has 613 seeds.  It is customary for this fruit to be eaten on the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah.  The pomegranate holds special meaning of fruitfulness, knowledge, learning, and wisdom.

 

   *  Hinduism:  Often depicted with the deity Ganesha, Remover of Obstacles & Lord of Beginnings, and patron of the arts. 

 

   *  Islam:  Regularly featured in early artwork and architecture, as each pomegranate is believed to hold an aril descended directly from paradise.

 

   *   Christianity:  A powerful symbol in artwork and liturgy, representing plentitude, hope, spiritual fruitfulness, and chastity.

However you choose to interpret this wonderful, ageless treasure, my hope is that you will enjoy this delicious pie as countless generations before you have done!  Enjoy it in good health!

POMEGRANATE CREAM CHEESE PIE:

Crust:

·         1 ½ Cups of Finely Ground Chocolate Graham Crackers or Chocolate Wafer Cookies

·         1/3 Cup Sugar

·         6 Tbs. Butter, Melted

Filling:

·         2 Cups Pomegranate Juice

·         6 Oz. Cream Cheese, Softened

·         1 Cup Powdered Sugar

·         1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

·         ½ tsp. Vanilla

Garnish:

·         1 Pint Heavy Whipping Cream

·         2 Tbs. Powdered Sugar

·         ½ Cup Fresh Pomegranate Seeds

·         1/3 Cup Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds (Optional – Available at Trader Joe’s Markets)

DIRECTIONS:

For Crust:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a food processor, reduce 1 ½ packages of chocolate graham crackers (or 1 whole package of chocolate wafers) to crumbs.  Once brought to a fine crumb mixture, place crumbs into a mixing bowl.  Add sugar and melted butter.  Mix until thoroughly moistened.  Spray your pie plate with baking spray, and press crumb mixture into pie plate evenly.  Bake for 15 minutes.  Allow crust to cool thoroughly before filling.

For Filling:

In a medium sized sauce pan, bring to a simmer your pomegranate juice over a medium heat.  Stirring occasionally, allow this to reduce to roughly ¼ cup.  Cook for about 20 – 25 minutes.  Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together your cream cheese and powdered sugar.  Refrigerate this mixture while your juice reduces on the stove if necessary. 

In a separate mixing bowl, whip together your 1 cup heavy whipping and vanilla (**You can use 1 Tbs. of powdered sugar to help thicken this if preferred).  Bring whipped cream to form medium peaks.  Refrigerate this as well until ready to use.

Once juice has cooled and formed a syrup consistency, add to the cream cheese mixture.  Blend until smooth.  Fold the whipped cream mixture into the pomegranate mixture, mixing until fully blended.

Pour mixture into fully-cooled crust.  Garnish with piped whipped cream, fresh pomegranate seeds, or combination of fresh and chocolate covered pomegranate seeds, available from Trader Joe’s Markets.  **ALLOW PIE TO CHILL FOR AT LEAST 4 HOURS BEFORE SERVING!**