Pomegranate Pear Salsa over Crispy Fish

At the first Pear Party/Iron Chef Pear, there was this pear, pomegranate pearl salsa that I loved, yet hadn’t made in years. It is so addicting with tortilla chips- multigrain scoops are definitely the best for it. I added some avocado and served mine on top of some beer battered fish filets for lunch and used the rest on pork tacos the following night. This is wintry and fresh with such great textures.

The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Pear Salsa

Pomegranate & Pear Salsa

Ingredients:

2 pears
1/4 cup cilantro
1/4 red onion
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/1-1 avocado

Directions:

Chop the pear, cilantro, and red onion. Mix together with the pomegranate pearls, lime juice & salt.
The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Pear Salsa
Gently mix in the avocado.
Serve & enjoy! (If not serving immediately, reserve the pomegranate pearls until serving- they leave a reddish hue on the pears & reserve the avocado- it’ll turn brown.)

So easy! You know what’s even easier? I discovered the grocery store sells the pomegranate pearls already popped out of the pomegranate! That was my hang up to make this until now. This lunch as everything: warm crispy fish, the pop/crunch of the pomegranate pearl, the juicy pear, the creamy avocado. What’s not to love?

The red & green felt super cute and seasonal here. The avocado was a game-time decision. When they’re ripe that window to use it or lose it is brief! Plus, my frozen fish filets seemed tiny. I’ve used them in fish tacos but for size reference, this is a salad plate so I thought the avocado would bulk it up a touch. It did!
The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Pear Salsa

Caesar Deviled Eggs

I love caesar dressing which lead me to a caesar twist on deviled eggs. I made just a few for a mid-day Christmas appetizer. They were perfect for a few bites with the zing of caesar and a salty bit of Parmesan on top. I also like that they’re quick and easy to make a few or a bunch. I like them as an appetizer in contrast to dips, cheese, crackers, etc.
The Three Bite Rule - Caesar Deviled Eggs
I jazzed up some creamy caesar dressing but it is also pretty easy to make it homemade. They definitely taste caesar-y. The anchovy paste is necessary in the dressing. Necessary. It adds that hard-to-explain, not-fishy, but zing of good caesar flavor. I doubt these would really taste like caesar without it.

Caesar Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

8 hard boiled eggs
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
4 tablespoons creamy caesar dressing + cracked pepper + anchovy paste
1 teaspoon shaved parmesan

Directions:

Hard boil the eggs, then immediately place into a ice bath.
When cooled, peal the eggs and slice in half. Pop out the egg yolks into a bowl and add in the mustard and creamy caesar.
The Three Bite Rule - Caesar Deviled Eggs
Whip together with a hand mixer or in a food processor until totally smooth.
Spoon into a ziplock bag. Then pipe the filling into each egg half.
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Caesar Deviled Eggs

I was making these on-the-go bringing ingredients to our Christmas celebration, but a tiny piece of romaine lettuce would be fun for crunch or some crumbled croutons all over the top would be good too!

December 2017 Recap

I really like the between Christmas and New Years. I don’t feel the post-celebration blues I hear so often. I like the hubbub of Christmases we have celebrating twice and then I like the quietness of NYE. I’m looking forward to sliders and milkshakes that have become our tradition to ring in the new year! As much as I LOVE LOVE LOVE holiday decor I also like the getting back to usual with the tree down etc. I also switch from Christmas/Santas/etc to Snowmen and lights so it still feels festive.

So. much. food. in. December! I hosted Christmas Eve and Mr. J and I made fresh spinach pasta, alfredo, these crockpot meatballs, caesar salad, and chocolate mousse. It was soooo good and the right amount of easy/special foods.

My fav thing this month was an apple, caramelized onion, and boursin crostini. So perfect for a snack, lunch, or cocktail party food.
The Three Bite Rule - Crostini with Boursin, Apple & Caramelized Onions
I also really loved this cheesy-veggie calzone with fire roasted tomatoes.
The Three Bite Rule - Fire Roasted Veggie Calzone
January should be tasty! I have a few posts to work on during my break from work that I’m excited to share. I got some new kitchen toys so I’ll be sure to break them in as well! I made a yogurt cake which instilled a touch of confidence for baked goods.

The Little One:

Christmas was so magical for him! He was feeling shy to sit with Santa, but he did talk to him and asked for a Construction vest. Santa delivered, also with safety goggles which he barely took off since. He couldn’t believe the cookie crumb mess Santa left on the plate! He was quite well behaved and very happy opening presents. I wasn’t sure if he’d have zero attention span since all the family members showered him with so many gifts!

In just a few weeks he’ll be 3! I cannot wait to post his bday celebration!

This year’s goals: 

Year of the candle: 
Grocery store re-invention: 
Ehh. I might just nix this – it never seems to happen! 
Cook more appetizers/snacks: 
Bacon & Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms were from November, and Apple/Boursin/Caramelized Onion Crostini was December! 
Taking time to blog thoughtfully:
I might have added a touch more style this month.
Journal the cute moments of my little one: 
What I’m reading: 
 I read The Day the World Came to Town, so uplifting! and I read Talking as Fast as I Can which was cute & enjoyable. 
What I’m watching:
I fulfilled my Christmas-movie needs by catching some/part of my favorite ones – Elf, The Holiday, Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas with the Kranks & Christmas Vacation. I didn’t see Home Alone which I was missing.

Pomegranate Cider Cocktail or Mocktail

Cocktail or mocktail! Take your pick! I’ll be real and say I tested & photographed this out during the little one’s naptime so I went mocktail so I could be productive for the afternoon but later the champagne version was delicious!
The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Cider Cocktail

Bubbly Pomegranate Cider

Ingredients:

2 oz Pomegranate juice
4 oz apple cider
1 oz limoncello or citrus vodka (optional)
7 oz ginger ale (mini can) or champagne

Directions:

Add pomegranate juice to a cocktail shaker with cider and ice. For a cocktail version, add limoncello or citrus vodka.
The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Cider Cocktail
Shake and pour over ice into 2 glasses.
Top with ginger ale or champagne.
Enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Pomegranate Cider Cocktail
This is a great one to make to order, or to make a big pitcher for guests! I’d totally include this on a mimosa(-ish) bar for brunch! I liked the bubbles to cut the sweetness of the cider & juice. It is an easy one to make to your taste.

I can see kiddos liking the mocktail version while others have the champs in there.

Kale Pesto Soup with White Beans & Sausage

I made a big batch of kale pesto awhile ago and froze a few servings. I was thinking about uses for this flavor-packed sauce other than on pasta. I added some to soup in place of the traditional chopped kale in soup with white bean and sausage. This soup is comforting, super flavorful, and such a balanced meal.

The Three Bite Rule - Kale Pesto
This was ideal for a lunch on a cool day and then I packed the other servings up to bring for lunch at work. This whole packing-lunch thing is tricky as I was out of the habit when I got lunch at work. Soups have been good for lunch variety and I love that it doesn’t have to be made in a mass quantity.

The Three Bite Rule - Kale Pesto Soup

Kale Pesto Soup with White Beans & Sausage (for ~4 servings)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup kale pesto
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 small potatoes
2 cups fresh spinach
1 can white beans
1-2 links chicken sausage

Directions:

Heat broth in a large pot over low heat.
Cook the potato. Chop the sausage and the spinach. Rinse the beans.
Add everything to the broth and cook for 30 minutes.
The Three Bite Rule - Kale Pesto Soup
Serve & enjoy!
The Three Bite Rule - Kale Pesto Soup
This had such amazing flavor from the pesto. I used spinach as the greens in there for more mild flavor and texture but any other would work well too. I only had 1 sausage link so I upped the beans and potato.

I have a cocktail-mocktail coming up next. Stay tuned!