Various Marinades

Photo: flickr user notphilatall

Preparation

Here are some tasty, and healthy, marinating solutions to add around-the-world flavors to meats, vegetables and fruits:

Asian - 1/2 cup orange juice, 2 Tbsp rice wine, 2 Tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, garlic and/or ginger to taste. (Try on chicken, fish, asparagus, broccoli, or sliced peaches or pineapple).

Middle Eastern - 3/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, 4 Tbsp fresh mint (chopped), 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, red pepper to taste. (Traditional favorite with lamb, also good on roasted potatoes).

Mediterranean - 1/2 cup red wine, 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp olive oil, garlic and/or basil to taste. (Good with seafood of any type; soaked and sauteed Belgian endive or mushrooms, grilled pear or pineapple slices).

Caribbean - 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1/4 cup honey, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp allspice, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, red pepper flakes to taste. (Traditional soak for pork; try on roasted carrots and sweet bell peppers, wonderful on grilled apple or apricot slices).

French - 1/3 cup white wine vinegar, 2 tsp olive oil, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tsp fennel seed (crushed), optional - 1/3 cup Pernod liquor. (Good with game hens and shrimp; brush onto grilled onions and summer squash, interesting with grilled apple and pear slices).

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NOTES : From an article espousing the benefits of marinating meats before grilling to reduce carcinogen formation.