All hail the mighty pomegranate!

I don't need to be a billionaire. I just want to be rich enough to buy pomegranate seeds that have already been picked. I want them cleaned and laid in packaging that can travel with me at all times. But it would be a poor financial decision.

I tend to favor "emotionally-unavailable" fruit. I love the impenetrable coconut, the seasonal and nearly impossible-to-tell-if-its-ripe-or-rotten watermelon, and of course, the labyrinthine pomegranate. God forbid I should crave an everyday apple - it might (gasp!) make my life easier.

Perhaps you love pomegranate but find the process intimidating. I get that. It's no apple (see above). Perhaps you like the flavor, but don't know what to do with them. I get that too. Below I will show you a mess-free way to open and extract the seeds, and three ways to enjoy them fresh - no cooking necessary.

How to open a pomegranate

I buy them whole, cut them into quarters, and pick them apart in a mixing bowl filled with water. Your counter won't look like a crime scene, and any seeds still attached to the bitter white pith will rise to the top for you, making it easier to pick off. Once you're done, all the seeds sink to the bottom, like a sparkling bowl of rubies. 

Three simple ways to enjoy pomegranate - no cooking!

Get these gems while they last. They arrive in early winter, and disappear before spring. Here are a few ways to make the most of these tangy, crunchy, antioxidant-filled fruit.

Pomegranate and Champagne

This one's too easy. Simply drop some pomegranate seeds in a flute of Champagne, cava or prosecco. The sweet crunch awaits as a reward at the bottom of the glass. You can also do a splash of pomegranate juice on top, though you won't get that contrasting visual. 

Pomegranate and goat cheese salad

Pomegranates go well with a vinaigrette, not ranch or bleu cheese-anchored salads. Think:

• Spinach
• Thinly-sliced watermelon radish
• Walnuts
• Goat cheese
• A hearty helping of pomegranate seeds

This fruit is a sweet compliment to the acidic vinegar, the crunch adds texture, and they add a joyful pop of color to this to this elegant dish. 

Pomegranate parfait

Layer up this breakfast classic with:

• Greek yogurt
• Pomegranate seeds
• Coconut granola (or coconut flakes mixed with granola)
• Chia seeds
• Crushed Macadamia nuts
• Chopped mango (optional, but always fabulous)

So enjoy them while they are at peak freshness. Pomegranate can bring a hit of sunshine to the bleakest of winters.