NORTH CAROLINA JACKET POTATO WITH BLACKBERRY BBQ SAUCE
Servings: 2people
Author: BBQ Sauce is adapted from a recipe by Michael Symon
Ingredients
For the BBQ Sauce
3pints6 cups fresh blackberries
12ouncesbeer
1cupbalsamic vinegar
1cupred wine vinegar
½cupbrown sugar
1onionsliced
1clovegarlicminced
1tbspcandied jalapenochopped
1tspchili powder
1tbspground coffee
1tbspground coriander
1tbspground cumin
Jacket Potato North Carolina Style
2sweet potatoes
1boned and skinned chicken breast
½ - 2/3cupgrated cheesemozzarella or cheddar
1tspcandied jalapenooptional
1tbspchopped cilantroleaves and stems
1cupBlackberry BBQ sauce
Instructions
Make the Sauce
Combine all of the ingredients together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 ½-2 hours, stirring from time to time. Mixture will thicken and blackberries will soften. Puree the mixture then pass through a sieve. (Do not skip this step).
Make about four cups of BBQ sauce. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
For the Jacket Potatoes
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Wash the sweet potatoes, pierce two or three times with a fork and wrap in aluminum foil.
Line a baking sheet with foil. Pat the chicken breast dry and place on the prepared baking sheet. Brush with about 1-2 tbsps Blackberry BBQ sauce.
Place potatoes and chicken in the oven.
After about 30 minutes check the chicken breast for doneness. Depending on the size of the breast, it may need a little longer. When done, remove from the oven and let cool. Shredded the chicken breast and toss with remaining BBQ sauce.
Check potatoes for doneness after one hour. They should be soft and malleable.
Carefully split the hot sweet potatoes and loosen the flesh a bit with a fork. Pile on the chicken breast in the sauce and top liberally with cheese. Return to the oven until the cheese is melted (10-15 minute).
Garnish with candied jalapeno and chopped cilantro
Recipe Notes
This sauce will stand up to almost any type of beer. I used a fruity Saison but you can use whatever you have available.
Makes about four cups of BBQ sauce. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.