Grilled Short Ribs with Smoky Blackberry Barbecue Sauce

Grilled Short Ribs with Smoky Blackberry Barbecue Sauce

Active: 45 mins, Total: 1 hr 30 mins, Yield: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound berries

• 2 teaspoons sweet pimentón de la Vera (sweet smoked paprika)

• 1 ½ cups of Blackberry Jam

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, plus more for brushing

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped, plus 1/4 cup minced

• ¼ cup tomato paste

• ½ cup apple cider vinegar

• ½ cup packed light brown sugar

• ¼ cup soy sauce

• 3 tablespoons seeded and minced chipotles in adobo sauce

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Kosher salt

• Pepper

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped oregano, plus more for garnish

• 4 ½ pounds flanken-cut beef short ribs (1/3-inch thick)

• Thinly sliced radishes, for garnish

Directions

1. Light a grill. In a large bowl, toss the berries with the pimentón. Spread the berries in a perforated grill pan or in a foil pan with holes poked in it. Grill over moderately high heat, tossing, until the berries just start to burst, 3 to 5 minutes.

2. In a saucepan, heat the 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderately low heat, stirring, until just golden. Add the chopped onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened and just starting to brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook until glossy, about 2 minutes. Add the berries, Blackberry Jam, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, chipotles, mustard, and cumin, and bring just to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring, until slightly thickened and the berries are very tender, about 20 minutes.

3. Transfer the sauce to a blender and let cool slightly, then puree until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl, discarding the solids. Season the sauce with salt and pepper and let cool completely. Spoon 1 cup of the sauce into a bowl and stir in the minced onion, the olive oil, and the 2 tablespoons of oregano. Reserve the remaining sauce for grilled chicken or pork.

4. Light the grill and oil the grate. Season the ribs with salt and pepper and brush with the Blackberry Jam sauce. Grill over high heat, turning once, until nicely charred, 3 minutes. Continue to grill for 2 minutes more, turning and basting with more sauce, until glazed. Garnish the ribs with radishes and chopped oregano; serve hot.

Make-Ahead: The Blackberry Jam sauce can be refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Suggested Pairing: Peppery, berry-rich Petite Sirah from California was practically made for a sticky barbecue.