If you’re looking to add flavor and tenderness to your meats and vegetables, marinades are a must-have in your kitchen arsenal. Marinades consist of a mixture of herbs, spices, oil, acid, vinegar and other ingredients, which are used to flavor and tenderize food before cooking or grilling. Buy some or better yet make your own for Mmmm…arinated Goodness!
With a variety of marinades available, you can choose from classic, spicy, sweet, or even exotic flavors to create a unique and delicious dish to your liking. Marinades work by adding flavor and tenderizing meat by breaking down connective tissue. The acid in marinades, typically vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice, is essential in this process. The acid reacts with the protein in the meat, helping to make it more tender and juicy. Other ingredients like spices and oils serve to complement the acidity and add additional layers of flavor.
Here are some types of marinades you can try:
- CLASSIC MARINADE: This marinade is perfect for meats like chicken, pork, and beef. It consists of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add some herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano to enhance the flavor.
- HAWAIIAN MARINADE: This sweet and savory marinade is great for chicken, pork or beef. It typically includes pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic.
- SPICY MARINADE: If you love a little heat, try a spicy marinade. It can be used for chicken, steak, or shrimp. Mix together olive oil, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, and lime juice.
- LEMON-HERB MARINADE: This fresh and tangy marinade is perfect for chicken, fish, and vegetables. It consists of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and a combination of herbs, such as basil, thyme, or rosemary.
DON’T OVERDO WHAT YOU DO
When marinating food, it is important to remember to not overdo it. While it might be tempting to leave your meat in the marinade overnight, this can actually cause the meat to become mushy and lose its texture. Instead, aim for 30 minutes to two hours of marinating, depending on the thickness of the meat.
Marinating food can be a great way to add flavor and tenderness to your meals. With a variety of marinade options, you can experiment with different flavors and create a unique and delicious dish every time. So, the next time you want to add some excitement to your meal, create some Mmmm…arinated Goodness!
ENJOY IT FROM BEGINNING TO MMM…
You’ve got this! You’ve done the research and the learning curve. Now it’s time to make your own ‘private label’ marinade. It may take a few meals to try and find what is just right. Once you’ve got it, commit your marinade recipe to paper or your digital cookbook, get that food marinated and then share the Mmmm with others.
Try a unique and perhaps new-to-you way of preparing your meal. In this case, Chef Nick uses a vertical broiler. As special as different marinades make your meal, you’ll find that different preparation methods can dramatically create different nuances in taste, texture and more.
Once your meal is cooked then you’re ready to make it an experience for family and friends. Bring all the ingredients together and make the preparation a good time of conversation and fellowship. Your meal isn’t just about the food it is the deeper meaning, the memories – the Mmmm…arvelous times in Christ you share with others.
Chef Nick’s Mmmm…editerranean Meal is this amazing Greek pork gyro with pita bread, the specially marinated pork, fresh garden tomatoes and lettuce topped with fries, onion and Taziki.
What will be your next marinated meal? Post a comment below and share your marinade tips and questions along with how you make mealtimes meaningful.
THERE’S MORE TO MARINATE
POSTSCRIPT FROM THE PUBLISHER: This article is featured in the May-July 2023 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine, which helps you explore the theme COMMIT. We encourage you to grow deeper in your knowledge of the Bible. Pursue a confident understanding of God’s purpose for your life. Like physical fitness, having a rich and personal faith relationship with God isn’t short lived explorations it requires a long term journey – a lifestyle. When you commit to passionately follow Christ the tough times will produce tender moments and you will taste of the goodness that is marinated in God’s grace. Let this be the season in your life where you earnestly say to God #hereIam let me be the salt you use to bring flavor to the lives of others.
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