Jewels from the East

Ruby red pomegranate arils.

Seed side down in the hand, tapped with a spoon and these jewels fall out - a colourful addition to a pre-Christmas-binge salad (thanks to Chef Oliver for that tip!)

Randomly I can remember first finding out what a pomegranate is, many moons ago, in an episode of the cartoon Babar. The elephants of Celesteville, having had their precious fruit confiscated, formed picket lines and cried in protest "We want our pomegranates!"

- ...Mum, what's a pomegranate?...