[Samia`s food facts and recipes] Tofu & pomegranate, an unlikely pair

We all know a couple who seems like they shouldn`t belong together, and yet they do. I have a friend, who I`ll call Annie, who is a beautiful, glamorous social butterfly. She`s always attending parties, wearing fashionable clothes, and dazzling men wherever she goes. For a long time, Annie was single - she enjoyed playing the field, and rightfully so! Then she met Bill. Bill is a diminutive fellow with large glasses and a larger IQ. For a long time, she ignored his obvious crush on her, in favor of more glamorous pursuits. But Bill persisted - he was head over heels in love with Annie, and he refused to give up that easily. Over time, he found out that her favorite fruit was the pomegranate. He was impressed with the unusual choice, and decided to make use of this knowledge. The next time he saw Annie at a party, he presented her with the most perfect pomegranate he could find. Attached was a handwritten note which read, "An unusual gift for an unusual beauty." From that moment on, Annie saw Bill differently, and it was the beginning of a beautiful - though unlikely - relationship.

For this week`s column, I`m paying tribute to unlikely relationships like Annie and Bill`s, and I`ve decided to use the pomegranate in their story as my inspiration. Pairing it with an unlikely partner: tofu. Pomegranate and respectable, nutritious tofu - makes for a food combination that mirrors the love between Annie and Bill. They`re an unlikely pair, but together, they`re great!



The word pomegranate is rooted in Latin words pomum, meaning "apple," and granatus, meaning "seeded." The botanical name is Punicum granatum. The Latin origins influenced the name of the pomegranate in several other languages as well. For example, the German name, granatapfel, literally means "seeded apple."

Pomegranates are native to Iran, but they are also produced in other Mediterranean countries. The pomegranate is one of the oldest fruits in human history, along with the olive and fig. It was believed to have originated in China, but some historians suggest that it was actually brought to China around B.C. 100 by the Han dynasty. Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Homer all celebrated the merits of the pomegranate in their writing. The Moors brought the pomegranate to Spain around A.D. 800, and the fruit is now the symbol and namesake of the Spanish city of Granada.

Pomegranates boast astounding health benefits. Read on to find out just a few of the incredible discoveries made about this miracle fruit in recent studies. In the Journal of the American Oil Chemists` Society, Jan. 2008, vol. 85, Abbasi, et al., stated that the pomegranate belongs to the Punicacea family and is one of the oldest edible fruits. Their research focuses on determining the fatty acid composition of pomegranate oil. The seeds contain high levels of oil; the fatty acid content of the pomegranate seed is about 75 percent. This oil is associated with relieving asthma in children, as well as relieving skin inflammation.

Research at the University of Wisconsin showed that when human prostate cancer cells were exposed to pomegranate extract, some cancer cells died. The higher the extract level, the more cells died. The researchers continued the study by testing mice with malignancies. The results showed the mice receiving the higher dose of the extract showed significant slowing of their cancer progression when compared to the control group, which received only water. The evidence points to the powerful agents in pomegranates as a potential treatment for prostate cancer.

The Wisconsin study does not stand alone. As reported by Errey in the Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition, June 2007, issue 296, pomegranate juice is high in polyphenols, such as tannins, and has been proven beneficial for a healthy prostate. The Errey study showed that drinking pomegranate juice delayed prostate-specific antigens in men with prostate cancer. In other words, it actually does help in slowing down the cancer. Faria, et al., reported in the European Journal of Nutrition, 2007, vol. 46, that aside from the pomegranate`s antioxidant capacity, there are reports of its anti-atherosclerotic, anti-inflammatory, and chemopreventive activity. Again, pomegranate juice is effective in improving the health of individuals with health problems. Errey also believes that studies need to be done to research the effects of prolonged use of pomegranate juice on the whole organism.

Vesdani explains in the Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition, April 2007, that various uses of the pomegranate are significant for healthy individuals. Pomegranates promise nutritional and medical advantages and powerful properties due to their high antioxidant levels. The antioxidants have been shown to reduce "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and to support optimal cardiovascular health. Pomegranates are also a source of the female hormone estrogen, and again, they are good for men with prostate cancer.

Pomegranates are a natural source of vitamin C and iron. They are a rich source of folic acid, which is especially important for pregnant women, and they are antioxidant-rich. One medium pomegranate contains only 100 calories with 26 grams of carbohydrates.

A few words about the health benefits of tofu are also in order. The American Heart Association (AHA) review in Journal Circulation, January 2006, stated that tofu is beneficial to cardiovascular health due to the high content of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, as well as the low saturated fat content. The Harvard Health Letter, June 2007, vol. 32, explains that several epidemiological studies concluded that soy can be preventative against breast cancer in women who ate large amounts of soy during their childhood.

Tofu is low in calories, saturated fats, and has no cholesterol. A 250-gram serving of tofu has only 147 calories. Tofu also provides the same amount of calcium as 250ml of milk if the coagulant method used is acid.



Tofu with pomegranate



Note: A great way to seed a pomegranate is to half-fill a wide rim bowl with water. Cut pomegranate in half and place in the water. While the pomegranate is submerged in the water, use your hands to separate the seeds from the inner membrane. Drain seeds in a colander and they are ready to use.



l 340 grams tofu, firm

l 1 pomegranate (200 grams or 1/2 cup seeds)

l 2 Tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice

l 1 Tablespoon soy sauce

l 1/4 cup olive oil

l 1 Tablespoon red pepper flakes

l 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

l Mix lemon juice, soy sauce, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and pomegranates. Set aside.

Remove tofu from package and remove excess water. Cut in half and place on a serving dish. Place vinaigrette mixture on top and serve. Serves 4 as an appetizer.

(Samiamounts@yahoo.com)





Samia Mounts is a long-time nutritionist and gourmet aficionado. She is the Assistant Principal at Seoul American Elementary School. - Ed.



By Samia Mounts