Pomegranate Molasses {Syrian Dibs Ir-rim-man}

Pomegranate Molasses is a staple in many Middle Eastern dishes, and this recipe comes straight from my traditional Middle Eastern grandmother. It has been passed down the family through centuries of cooking traditional Syrian meals. It's typically added to sauces for a hint of sweetness and thickness. It's simple to make and a large batch will last a very long time.

what is a traditional Middle Eastern pomegranate molasses?

Traditional Middle Eastern pomegranate molasses is a thick syrup made from simmering sugar, lemon juice, and pomegranate juice. This recipe is from Syria and was developed over centuries. It is part of my families Syrian cookbook "Cookin Good with Sitto" and was always stored in giant jugs in my Sitto's kitchen. (Sitto means grand lady or grandmother in Syria.) You'll find pomegranate molasses in every Sitto's kitchen!

Because this recipe makes such a huge batch, Sitto always gave her children and grandchildren mason jars filled with this special pomegranate molasses. It's necessary for all of my favorite Syrian meals, meals that only Sitto knew how to make. They were always special meals for holidays, family gatherings, and birthdays. Once I was old enough, she began to teach me her secrets to the perfect Syrian meals, and pomegranate molasses was a key ingredient in many.

Boy am I so glad I have this recipe to make all of my favorites for my family now! What are my favorite traditional Syrian meals? Stuffed grape leaves (yebret), stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers, kebab hindi, and gibbe. Lots of delicious vegetables stuffed with lamb meat! I can't wait to share them with you!

more about pomegranate molasses

Middle Eastern Pomegranate molasses lasts indefinitely. Once made, it won't go bad! So if you have 2 hours to wait as it simmers, you can make enough pomegranate molasses to last you years depending on how often you use it. Only using it occasionally? That's great! Once recipe could last you a lifetime.

This recipe makes a batch that will last a full year, if you use it often. You need to add just a small amount to recipes. A little bit goes a very long way! You'd have to do a lot of Middle Eastern cooking to go through all that this recipe yields. But because it lasts indefinitely, make the whole thing and save it forever! Or, cut down the recipe proportionately to make a small amount.

how to make pomegranate molasses

Making pomegranate molasses is incredibly simple. It's a 1 step recipe!

Simmer the sugar, lemon juice, and pomegranate juice in a pot for 2-3 hours, until a thick liquid has formed.

You should occasionally stir the syrup as it cooks. When done, the pomegranate syrup will be a dark red-brown, but more brown than red. I've noticed that recipes for pomegranate syrup around the web are very red in appearance. This is not true of traditional Middle Eastern pomegranate molasses.

Use the pomegranate molasses when it's called for in Middle Eastern or Syrian recipes. Store it in airtight containers, like jugs or mason jars in a cool dark place.

Enjoy!

how to make a smaller batch for occasional cooking

Instead of making the very large batch, make a small more manageable one for occasional cooking. The recipe below, although it calculates to 20 cups prior to simmering, the liquid cooks down so you won't be left with 20 cups of molasses.

To make a small batch, use these measurements:

• 2 ½ cups lemon juice
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 ½ cups sugar

That's all there is to making a traditional Middle Eastern pomegranate molasses. If you've made it I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought.

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