Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, but requires additional unattended time.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 2 cups

　　2 pomegranates

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　1/4 cup water

　　1 1/2 tablespoons arrowroot

　　Accompaniment: Vanilla ice cream

　　

Step 1

Cut pomegranates in half and with a manual citrus juicer squeeze enough juice from 2 halves, pressing sides against center of juicer and pressing on any whole seeds in juicer with thumbs, to measure 2/3 cup.

　　

Step 2

With hands gently break remaining 2 pomegranate halves in two. Bend back rinds and dislodge seeds from membranes.

　　

Step 3

In a dry 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan cook sugar over moderately low heat, stirring slowly with a fork (to help sugar melt evenly), until melted and pale golden. Cook caramel, without stirring, swirling pan, until deep golden. Add pomegranate juice (caramel will steam and harden) and cook overt moderately low heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved. In a small bowl stir together water and arrowroot and stir into caramel mixture. Cook sauce, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula dn scraping bottom of pan frequently, until it just begins to boil nd od thickened. Cool sauce. Chill sauce, overed, until cold, about 2 hours. Stir pomegranate seeds into sauce. (Sauce may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.)

　　

Step 4

Spoon sauce over ice cream.