Öncü Pomegranate Molasses Sauce – 700 g

Öncü pomegranate sauce comes in a large 700 g bottle and adds a sour, slightly sweet note to salads and cold dishes. In Turkey this kind of sauce is known as nar ekşisi, and Öncü's own description recommends it for salads and for cold meze such as kısır and lentil köfte.

What it tastes like

Pomegranate sauce is dark red, glossy and thick enough to cling to leaves and grains. The first taste is sharp and fruity, then a gentle sweetness follows, with a slightly tannic finish like strong tea. It is the sour note that sets it apart from honey or grape molasses: you use it to brighten a dish rather than to sweeten it.

The nutrition panel on the product page lists, per 100 g, about 293 kcal, 73.2 g of carbohydrate and 30.4 g of sugars, with no fat, protein or salt. For the full ingredient list, read the label on the bottle. Some pomegranate sauces are pure reduced juice and others are blended, so the label is the place to check.

How to use pomegranate sauce

In salads

Whisk two spoons of pomegranate sauce with four spoons of olive oil, a pinch of salt and some dried mint for a quick salad dressing. Pour it over a shepherd's salad of tomato, cucumber, onion and pepper, or over rocket with walnuts and white cheese. It is also the dressing of choice for a gavurdağı salad, the finely chopped tomato and walnut salad from southeastern Turkey.

In kısır and lentil köfte

Kısır is a fine bulgur salad mixed with tomato and pepper paste, spring onion, parsley, mint and lemon. A good splash of pomegranate sauce gives it its tangy edge. Mercimek köftesi, made from red lentils and fine bulgur shaped into small fingers, also gets a drizzle before serving.

Other ideas

• Brush over chicken wings or lamb chops before grilling.
• Add a spoon to a pan of roasted aubergines and peppers.
• Drizzle over hummus or muhammara.
• Stir into a marinade with garlic, cumin and olive oil.
• Mix with sparkling water and ice for a sour cold drink.

Why the 700 g bottle

If you make kısır, çiğ köfte or salads often, a small bottle goes quickly. The 700 g size is the practical choice for families and for anyone who uses pomegranate sauce every week. It costs less per spoon than a smaller bottle, and a sauce with this much acidity keeps well once open.

A little goes a long way. Start with a teaspoon, taste and add more. The sauce can easily take over a dish if you pour too freely.

Storage

Keep the bottle closed in a cool, dry cupboard. After opening, keep the cap clean and tight, and store the bottle in a cool place or in the fridge, following the label. Shake gently before use if the sauce has thickened at the bottom.

Order Öncü sauce online

Robin Food delivers across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. For a smaller bottle, choose Öncü Pomegranate Molasses Sauce 330 g. To make kısır at home, add Duru Fine Bulgur and Öncü Mild Pepper Paste to your basket.