How to open a pomegranate
Step 1: Score the pomegranate into four sections. Be sure to cut through the skin.
Step 2: Pull the pomegranate apart into four sections.
Step 3. Hold the sections, one at a time, upside down in hand over a large bowl. Hit the pomegranate section with the back of a wooden spoon (pretty firmly) to knock the arils (seeds or pips) out. A word of advice: this can be messy so be prepared with a dish towel and don't wear your favorite white sweater!

For a little extra help, Martha Stewart demonstrates this technique here.

1. Line a bread pan (or other small pan) with plastic wrap, letting it drape over the side (you will use the plastic to lift the cheesecake out of the pan later).
2. Process all ingredients in a food processor until they start to stick together and form clumps. Press the crust into the bottom of the prepared pan.

Butterscotch
2 tablespoons Earth Balance margarine, melted
3 tablespoons brown rice syrup
3 tablespoons real maple syrup
1 teaspoon rum or butterscotch extract

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, mixing well.
2. Pour into a skillet over medium heat and cook, stirring continuously, until it starts to thicken.
3. Pour butterscotch over prepared crust.

Pumpkin cheesecake
1 1/2 cups cashew ricotta
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3 tablespoons coconut oil or coconut butter
3 tablespoons real maple syrup
1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned is fine)

1. Process all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Pour over the butterscotch layer in the prepared pan. Place in freezer for several hours or overnight.
2. Remove frozen cheesecake from the freezer and lift it out of the pan using the plastic wrap. Cut the cake into ~1 inch squares and return to the freezer until the chocolate coating is ready. You may want to leave the squares in the freezer and take out only a few at a time as you're dipping them.

Chocolate coating
12 ounces of vegan chocolate, chopped (chips work too)
1 tablespoon non-hydrogenated vegetable shortening

1. Place chocolate and shortening in a glass bowl. Melt on a low power setting in the microwave (stirring every 15 seconds) or in a double boiler.
2. Dip each cheesecake square in the chocolate using a toothpick or tongs. Place the dipped squares on a wax or parchment lined baking sheet and use a spoon to pour a little more chocolate over the top.

Store the finished cheesecake bites in the fridge. These have a little condensation on them because they are still cold. They taste good at any temp!
Happy (early) weekend! I'm off to Lake Tahoe for a training weekend with my triathlon training group. Think warm thoughts for me, it is supposed to be COOOOLD!