Butterfly Apple With Pomegranate Surprise

I love leaving little notes and special treats in my daughter's lunches, but I don't have alot of time in the mornings so this simple carving works out great.  

Step 1: De-seed Your Pomegranate

To start we need to seed a pomegranate.  This can be done before hand to make the whole process quicker in the mornings.  While it may seem a bit daunting and messy, seeding a pomegranate can be quick and easy if you have the right tools.

Large bowl of water.  Try to stay away from plastic that might stain.
Sharp knife.
Paper towel
Cutting board

Place your paper towel (at least two layers) on top of your cutting board to prevent staining.

Cut the top and bottom off of your pomegranate.  

Cut four scores evenly spaced along the sides, only deep enough to get through the red layer.

Place your pomegranate into the water and break it up along the scores.

The water will dissipate the juice and keep your hands from turning purple.

Gently remove the seeds from the peel and membranes.

The seeds will sink while the rest floats making separating everything easy.

Strain the seeds in a colander.

Step 2: Carving the Butterfly

Materials
Apple
Knife
Cutting board
Fruit fresh powder (can substitute citrus juice)

Start with an angled cut behind the stem.

Make the same cut on the other side leaving you with 1/3 of the apple cut off.

Set the larger piece of the apple aside.

Cut another wedge from small section, leaving a v shaped piece.

Cut triangles out of the apple so it resembles butterfly wings.  Keep the cut pieces to reassemble later.

Cut the stem down the middle for antennas.

Step 3: Adding a Little Surprise

Cut the rest of the apple into wedges and remove the seeds.  Keep the slices together so you can reassemble the apple.

Sprinkle the entire apple with the fruit fresh powder or brush with orange juice to prevent the apple from browning.

In the large part of the apple place pomegranate seeds in the hole left by removing the seeds.

Reassemble the apple and place a rubber band around it to keep it together.

Place it in your favourite kids lunch box and imagine the smiles since your kid has grown up way too fast and you can't see them at lunch any more.