Salads

• Thanks to their small size, pomegranate seeds are a simple addition to just about any kind of salad. Sprinkle them on top of your usual leafy green salad for sweet, crunchy burst of flavor. Mix them up with berries and fruit slices for a healthy fruit salad. Stir the seeds into tuna salad or chicken salad for an interesting update on the classic sandwich staples. You can even make a salad dressing using pomegranate seeds. Blend pomegranate seeds, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper for a quick vinaigrette.

Drinks

• Add a few pomegranate seeds to your favorite drinks for an unexpected twist. Cocktails, mixed drinks, and Champagne, in particular, can benefit greatly from the addition of a few seeds. Muddle the seeds first at the bottom of the glass to release their juices and to infuse the drink with a bit of color. Pomegranate seeds are a tasty addition to nonalcoholic beverages as well. Add a handful of muddled seeds to a pitcher of lemonade or limeade. Mix fruit juice with pomegranate seeds and club soda for a fizzy refreshment.

Chocolate

• Cover pomegranate seeds with chocolate for an easy dessert. Melt one 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips in the microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Add the seeds of two or three pomegranates to the chocolate. Gently fold the seeds into the chocolate with a spatula just until all the seeds are covered in chocolate. Scoop teaspoonfuls of the mixture out onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the chocolate has cooled and set. Store the pomegranate chocolate pieces in the refrigerator until you're ready to eat them.

Cheese

• Pomegranate seeds are the perfect pair for cheeses. The addition of a few seeds turns a boring cheese plate into an eye-catching appetizer. Slice a wedge of brie in half and microwave it or bake it in the oven or toaster oven until it melts. Sprinkle the warm brie with pomegranate seeds and serve with slices of toasted bread. Try sprinkling pomegranate seeds over a large chunk of feta or goat cheese. Add a few tablespoons of chopped, fresh herbs. Drizzle the cheese with honey, olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Serve this snack with cracks and you've got an instant, no-cook appetizer.