Hello again! Summer is well underway and I’ve been trying to soak up as many summer moments as I can. Philip and I have an ongoing “wish list” of some summer activities we’d love to be able to do right here in Madison, including nights on the terrace, the farmers’ market, Concerts on the Square, and sitting under the stars with a fire pit and s’mores (in our driveway, but we’ll ignore that part ;)) just to name a few.

While we haven’t gotten to those things yet, we definitely have been staying busy: From our weekly Sunday morning bike rides (they’ve kind of become “our thing” and I’m so excited we started doing them at the beginning of the summer rather than the end, which is so often the case when you stumble across a good thing) to picking strawberries at a local strawberry farm and doing plenty of updates to our landscape (more of that to come!).

It’s been a good mix of fun and work and all things outside. With so much going on and my desire to be outside more than inside these days, when I’m making dinner for us in the summer months, I want it to be quick to make and preferably one we can cook outside. Double bonus if it includes produce that’s in season and bursting with fresh flavor. These Grilled Blackberry BBQ Pork Chops cover all of the requirements!

The blackberry mixture is the perfect sauce to add on top of the freshly grilled pork chops. It immediately takes this meal to the next level (plus, talk about gorgeous color, right?!). Bursting with fresh, sweet flavor from the blackberries, there’s a hint of tang from the ginger and vinegar that compliments the sweetness perfectly. Cook the pork chops just until they reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees (an instant-read thermometer is a great kitchen gadget to have on hand!) and they’ll come out tender and juicy every time.

To go along with the pork chops, I roasted Brussels sprouts seasoned with just some salt and pepper as an easy side, but feel free to grill some in-season vegetables in a basket or on tin foil right along with the pork. Even better than having a fast and easy meal? Absolutely no pots or pans to wash. Clean up couldn’t be easier (which my husband especially appreciates :)). You’ll have a delicious meal on the table in no time, leaving you more than enough time to get back outside and cross more things off your summer list!

Grilled Blackberry BBQ Pork Chops

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• ⅔ cup fresh blackberries
• 2 teaspoon canola oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 4 pork loin chops, 1-1½ inches thick (1-1¼ pounds)

Directions:

1. Combine honey, ketchup, garlic powder, vinegar, and ginger in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Add blackberries and coarsely mash, stirring to combine. Heat in the microwave for about 60 seconds and stir together.
2. Season pork chops with ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper.
3. Heat grill to medium-high heat (400°F) and grill each side of the pork chops for 4–5 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center of a chop registers 145°F.
4. Drizzle the blackberry sauce evenly over the four pork chops.

Adapted from: Eating Well