(NAPSA)—If your idea of happiness is a warm cookie, think how happy a holiday cookie rich in antioxidants can make you. One easy way to make cookies healthier is to add some pomeeranates, which contain polyphenols, some of nature’s most effective antioxidants. Polyphenols help protect the body against free radical damage that is a factor in aging and vascular disease. The edible, juicy seeds or arils of the pomegranate are both great to eat and cook with. While the fresh fruit is available in stores from October through January, refrigerated, all-natural juice is available year-round. For a healthy and happy holiday, try these delicious—and very nutritious—oatmealfruit drops. POM OATMEAL DROPS (Makes 5 dozen cookies) Delicious, nutritious pomegran- ate oatmeal fruit drops give the gift of good health. The arils will sink to the bottom of the bowl and the mem- brane will float to the top. Sieve and put the arils in a separate bowl. Reserve 1 cup of the arils from fruit and set aside. (Re- frigerate or freeze remaining arils for another use.) 2. Prepare fresh pomegran- ate juice.” 3. Preheat oven to 375F. Ina bowl combine oats, flour, bak- ing soda andsalt. In a large Juice from 1 large POM Wonderful Pomegranate* or 4 cup POM Wonderful bowl beat together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in the 1 cup arils (seed sacs) from arils, apricots and raisins. 4. Drop mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto lightly greased baking 100% Pomegranate Juice 1 large pomegranate 2’ cups quick-cookingrolled oats 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 4 teaspoonsalt % cup (1% sticks) butter or margarine, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1 large egg pomegranatejuice and egg. Stir in the flour mixture, reserved sheets. 5. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until edges are golden brown; do not overbake. 6. Transfer cookies to wire rack with spatula; cool. Store in a tightly covered container or freeze for up to several months. “For 1 cup of juice, cut 2-3 % cup chopped dried apricots, cranberries, large POM Wonderful Pomegranates in half and juice %4 cup raisins juicer. Pour mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer or cherries or apples 1. Score 1 fresh pomegranate and place in a bowl of water. Break open the pomegranate under water to free the arils. them with a citrus reamer or sieve. Set the juice aside. More recipes and information are available at www.pomwonder ful.com.
