Grilled Pork Chops with Atomic Roasted Cherry BBQ Sauce

Well, with all those cherries earlier this month I made that awesome BBQ Sauce and we put it to great use over the weekend by grilling some pork chops - what a perfect pairing! Enjoy! Diane 

Grilled Pork Chops with Atomic Roasted Cherry BBQ Sauce

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Pork Chop:
Boneless Pork Chops
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

Instructions:
lightly brush both sides of pork chops with Olive Oil (I use extra light olive oil which has a higher smoke point) sprinkle salt & pepper as desired over both sides of chop, set out at least 30 mins before grilling. Brush BBQ sauce onto chops the last 5mins of grilling/cooking time. Sauce can be served on the side as well. 

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Atomic Roasted Cherry BBQ Sauce

Ingredients
1 pound fresh sweet cherries, pitted and halved (just about 2 1/4 cups halved cherries)
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
1 small can rotel tomatoes with green chilies
½ cup packed light brown sugar
⅓ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
¼ cup apple juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon prepared mustard 
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tbs lemon juice 

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the cherries on the prepared baking sheet, cut-side up. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
Melt butter in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the cherries and remaining ingredients to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
Remove from heat and blend using an immersion blender until smooth. Check the thickness of your sauce. If you would like it thicker, return to the heat and simmer for another 10-20 minutes until your desired thickness. 
Allow to cool; pour into jars and store in the refrigerator.
Makes 24oz.
**can be water-bathed with 1/4" headspace and for 20 mins (adding time for altitude, check your local regs) 

Recipe Adapted by: Diane Baker
Photos by: Canning and Cooking at Home 
*original recipe at: EatYourHeartOut
#grilling #cherry #bbq

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