In Morocco usually seasonal fruits rather than cooked desserts are served at the close of a meal. So this time I wanted to choose some light, fruit based option.

I never thought that will be making any more recipes with strawberries this year, but hey since they are available in shops all year round and we had this Moroccan themed week was looking for some interesting desserts and came across this delicious smoothie recipe here: http://moroccancuisinemarocaine.blogspot.ie/2012/06/pomegranate-and-strawberry-smoothie.html

Different story with pomegranate though, with its ruby-like seeds it is very secretive fruit and has this Autumn feel to it. It is called the "Fruit of Paradise" and I love the taste of it. 

Smoothie tasted very good and refreshing and it had just the right amount of sweetness in it, which comes from raisin juice. More details below. Now let's get ready for next week's Halloween!

Moroccan pomegranate and strawberry smoothie

  • 2 medium pomegranates
  • 300ml freshly squeezed orange juice
  • 200g fresh strawberries
  • 4 ice cubes
  • raisin juice

and for raisin juice:

  • 50g dark raisins 
  • 2 drops orange blossom water
  • 100ml cold water 
  • pinch salt
  • 2 tbs fresh orange juice 
  • 1 tsp honey

Rinse the raisins. Put water, salt, orange juice, honey and raisins in a saucepan, then allow to cook, uncovered, over a high heat for about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat and simmer at low heat just for a little while (1-2 minutes) until there is only about 20 ml of liquid left. Remove from heat, then add orange blossom water and allow to cool.

Wash and slice the pomegranates in half from top to bottom. Hold each half over a large bowl and bash the sides with a spoon until all the seeds come out. Rinse the strawberries, remove the leaves and stalks. Process raisin mixture, orange juice, pomegranates seeds, strawberry and ice cubes in a blender until they are well processed. It's not easy to puree pomegranate seeds even if you decide to blend it slightly longer, you still end up with a little seed grit, and that's why you will have to strain the juice. Simply empty the juice mixture in a strainer and smash them with a spoon. Serve immediately, decorated with pomegranate seeds and ice cubes.