Marination, also known as marinating, is the process of soaking foods in a seasoned, often acidic, liquid before cooking. The origins of the word allude to the use of brine (aqua marina) in the pickling process, which led to the technique of adding flavour by immersion in liquid. The liquid in question, the 'marinade', is often a vinegar (or other acidic liquid such as lemon juice or wine) and oil mixture. It can also contain herbs and spices.
It is commonly used to flavor foods and to tenderize tougher cuts of meat or harder vegetables such as beetroot, aubergine, and courgette. The process may last seconds or days. Different marinades are used in different cuisines. In Indian cuisine the marinade is usually prepared with yoghurt and spices.
In meats, the acid causes the tissue to break down, allowing more moisture to be absorbed and giving a juicier end product. However, too much acid can be detrimental to the end product. A good marinade will have a delicate balance of spices, acid and oil.
Often confused with marinating, "macerating" is also a form of food preparation. Often soft vegetables, legumes or fruits are used and are also coated in a liquid. This process, again, makes the food tastier and easier to chew and digest.
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Check out the following recipes that are tagged "Marinade":
Tuna Steaks Glazed With Ginger, Lime, And Soy, Grilled Fillets, Georgia Chain-Gang Chili, KFC Almost Fried Chicken, Kfc Amost Fried Chicken, Kfc Almost Fried Chicken, Grilled Sweet and Sour Tuna Steaks, Kentucky Turkey And Bacon Brochettes, Fresh Tuna(Aku) Portuguese Style, Fresh Tuna- Portuguese Style, Fresh Tuna Souvlaki, Lobster Tails, Ginger-Chicken Soup, Hearts of Romaine with Apple Cider Vinaigrette, Hearty Sausage Soup, Marinated Turkey Breast, Marinated Turkey Breast, Herbed Roasted Salmon And Vegetables W/Lemon, Zucchini And Onion Kabobs, Asian Marinated Eggplant, Asian Porterhouse, Rainbow Trout Teriyaki, Harbor Village Bbq Pork, Beef Daube With Shiitake Mushrooms, Fish Kabobs, Velvet Chicken& Sweet Corn Soup, Wined Fish Chunks In Broth, Hot Grilled Trout****, Cold Trout In Orange Marinade, Beef Stew With Bouquet Garni, Yam Wunsen Sai Mu(noodle Soup W/pork), Clive Younghusband's Venison Stew, Clive Younghusband's Venison Stew, Rosemary Chicken and Potato Pizza, Oven-Baked Beef Stew, Provencal Beef Stew, Rabbit Stew, Rich Venison & Mushroom Stew, Broiled Sesame Trout, Chicken And Broccoli (diabetic), BBQ Trout, Grilled Sesame Chicken Breast, Yucatan Style Swordfish With Spicy Mango Salsa(Gc), Swordfish Marinated In Lemon, Rosemary And Garlic, Swordfish Marinade, Swordfish Kebobs, Swordfish Kebobs, Swordfish Escabeche, Marinated Swordfish, Northern Steak& Shrimp Filling (Dim Sum--See
