Kitchen aid

The task: Getting the seeds out of a pomegranate

The pro: Poopa Dweck, author of Aromas of Aleppo: The Legendary Cuisine of Syrian Jews (Ecco, $49.95)

Step 1

Choose a pomegranate that is bright red in color, with no brown spots. The skin should look supple, not dried-out. Begin to cut it in half, lengthwise, starting at the crown.

Step 2

Once the knife is three quarters of the way through the fruit, remove the blade and gently pull the halves apart with your hands to avoid losing juice.

Step 3

Cut the fruit into quarters.

Step 4

Carefully dislodge the clusters of seeds from the pith (the firm, white substance between the pods), peeling the membrane from them when necessary.

Step 5

Use your fingertips to delicately separate seeds from one another. Let the juice and seeds drop into a bowl below.

See previous Kitchen aid