GRILLED PORK CHOPS WITH CHERRY SAUCE

Grilled Pork Chops With Cherry Sauce image

This is a great recipe to take advantage of the luscious fresh cherries when they make it to market each summer.

Provided by Vickie Parks

Time 3h25m

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

4 pork loin chops, at least 1-inch thick (bone-in preferred)
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, minced
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp fresh garlic, minced
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp shallots, minced
1 cup sweet cherries (like bing or similar variety), pitted and halved
1/2 c fruity red wine
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Steps:

1. Pat the chops dry, and rub them all over with a mixture of the rosemary, salt, pepper and garlic. Cover, and marinate for up to 2 hours at room temperature, or overnight in the refrigerator. Bring the chops back to room temperature before grilling.
2. Heat one side of a charcoal or gas grill, and put the rack about 4 inches from the heat source. Cook the chops over the hottest part of the fire until well seared on both sides, about 3 or 4 minutes per side. Move them to the cool part of the grill, cover and cook until done, anywhere from 1 to 10 minutes, depending on the heat of the fire and the thickness of the chops. The pork is done when it's just firm to the touch, its juices run just slightly pink and the meat is rosy in the center, or when an instant-read thermometer registers 135° in the thickest part of the chop (the temperature will continue to rise slightly as the chops rest). Transfer them to a platter, cover loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest while you make the sauce.
3. Put 1 tablespoon of the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the foam subsides, add the shallots, and cook until soft, 2 or 3 minutes. Add the cherries, wine and whatever juices have accumulated around the pork chops; cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces into a thin syrup, 5 or 6 minutes. Stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, a little at a time, until it's incorporated into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Pour the sauce over the chops, and serve.