Working Moms Refuge

Family
Career
Art of Juggling
Single Moms
Dad's Voice
News
Health
Bookshelf
Recipes
Sports Mom

Archives
Contact Us

Discussion Lists
Wisdom of Mothers
Resources

Pork and Fruit Sauces Are a Natural Combination

Pork chops were always served with applesauce while I was growing up. My mother never deviated from this tradition. Today I like to experiment with a variety of fruit sauces. For the grown-ups, pork is treated to a fresh garlic and rosemary rub then grilled over hot coals. The blackberry sauce has a slightly sweet and tart flavor along with a hint of rosemary to complement the seasonings of the pork. For the kids, the pork is lightly seasoned with salt. Instead of sauce, the blackberries are served on the side with a bit of applesauce, if desired.

Grilled Pork with Rosemary Blackberry Sauce
Time to table: 40 minutes
Serves 2 adults and 2 children

2 cups fresh blackberries
1 pound thinly sliced boneless center loin pork chops
Salt and pepper for seasoning

GROWN-UPS
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
3 garlic cloves, pressed
2 teaspoons honey
2 tablespoons Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon
Olive oil spray
Optional garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs

CHILDREN
Optional: apple sauce

Start the coals of a charcoal grill. Rinse the blackberries and pat dry. Arrange half of the blackberries in small bowls for the children and set the remaining berries aside for the sauce. Trim the pork of visible fat. Season the pork for the children with salt; season the pork for the grown-ups with salt and pepper.

Mix the rosemary and garlic together. Use about half of the mixture to rub on the pork for the grown-ups. Transfer the rest to a small saucepan coated with olive oil spray and stir fry for a few minutes until fragrant. Add the blackberries that were set aside, the Merlot and honey to the saucepan. Mash with a spoon and cook over high heat mashing the berries as they cook until the mixture has thickened, about 5 minutes. Work the sauce through a fine wire mesh strainer with a wooden spoon discarding the seeds and pulp. Pour the sauce back into the pan and keep warm until ready to serve.

When the coals are ready, grill the pork for 2-3 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve the pork for the children with the blackberries on the side and apple sauce. Serve the pork for the grown-ups with the sauce spooned over the top. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if using.

GROWN-UPS
Calories 280 Calories from fat 70 Total fat 8g; Saturated fat 2.5g;
Cholesterol 90mg; Sodium 95mg; Carbohydrate 9g; Dietary fiber 4g;
Sugars 5g; Protein 32g

CHILDREN
Calories 240; Calories from fat 70; Total fat 7g; Saturated fat 2.5g;
Cholesterol 90mg; Sodium 95mg; Carbohydrate 9g; Dietary fiber 4g;
Sugars 5g; Protein 32g

Kristene Fortier, author of The Whole Family Cookbook, lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. Send questions or tips to pickykids@aol.com, and while online visit www.healthykitchen.com. Save 20 percent on your copy of The Whole Family Cookbook: Two-Tiered Meals to Please Both Parents and Kids, by Kristene Fortier, ($14.95 Birch Lane Press) by calling 800-857-5600. You must request the discount when orders are placed.