How to cook grilled pork chops with cherry salsa: step-by-step instructions

Indulge in the delightful flavors of grilled pork chops accompanied by a tangy and vibrant Italian-style cherry salsa infused with onions, basil, and balsamic vinegar. Follow these simple steps to create a mouth-watering dish that will excite your taste buds. This was reported by SSPDaily.

Preparation: 15 mins

Cooking: 10 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup chopped red onions
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 1/2 pounds cherries (approximately 4 cups)
• 4 pork chops, about 3/4-inch thick
• Salt
• Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 heaping teaspoon sugar

Method:

1. Begin by mixing the chopped red onions with lemon juice in a small bowl. This step helps to mellow the onions' sharpness, providing a more balanced flavor profile. Set this mixture aside.

2. Coat the pork chops with a drizzle of olive oil, ensuring that both sides are evenly covered. Sprinkle some salt over the pork chops, further enhancing the taste.

3. It's time to pit and de-stem the cherries. If you have a cherry pitter, this task becomes effortless. Otherwise, a small knife can serve the purpose just fine. Take extra care to remove any stray pits, as they have a tendency to find their way into even the most carefully prepared dishes.

4. Now, let's prepare the salsa. Put the pitted cherries, along with the onions and chopped basil, into a food processor. Pulse the ingredients a few times until you achieve a cut chunky texture, allowing for varying cherry textures. If you prefer, you can opt to chop everything by hand.

5. Enhance the salsa's flavor by incorporating balsamic vinegar, half a teaspoon of salt, and a heaping teaspoon of sugar. Feel free to adjust the quantities of these ingredients to suit your taste. Set the salsa aside at room temperature. For convenience, you can prepare it up to 8 hours in advance.

6. Prepare your grill by heating it to high direct heat. Place the pork chops on the grill and cook over high heat, ensuring the grill cover remains closed, for approximately 3 minutes. To achieve an appealing cross-hatch pattern, rotate the chops at a 45-degree angle on the same side. Close the grill cover and cook for another 3 minutes.

7. Carefully flip the pork chops over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, this time leaving the grill cover open. Allow the pork chops to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving, allowing the juices to redistribute and the flavors to harmonize.

8. Prepared and ready to serve, plate the grilled pork chops alongside the bright and tantalizing cherry salsa. The salsa's juicy and vibrant flavors perfectly complement the succulent pork chops, creating a delightful culinary experience.

Indulge in the perfect balance of savory grilled pork and the tangy sweetness of cherries. This light and refreshing dish will bring excitement to your dining table.