Recipe: Marinating 101 and 3 Marinades (Asian, Italian, and Southwestern)

3 AMAZING MARINADES

ASIAN:
2 1/2 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp Asian sesame oil
2 tbsp soy sauce,
1 tbsp grated ginger.

ITALIAN:
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp prepared pesto.

SOUTHWESTERN:
3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp green jalapeno pepper sauce (such as Tabasco brand)

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MARINATING 101

Where?
In a food-safe plastic bag or covered container in the fridge, turning the meat occassionally for even exposure to marinade.

How Long?
Tender beef cuts need only 15 minutes to 2 hours for flavor. Less tender cuts require 6 to 24 hours. Marinating longer than 24 in a tenderizing marinade can make meat mushy.

How Much?
Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup marinade for each 1 to 2 lbs steak. Want to baste with used marinade or use it as a sauce? You MUST bring it to a full rolling boil. Better yet, make a second batch and keep it away from raw meat.

Source: Redbook magazine, May 2000