Marinate: what does it mean and how to apply it to food?
So, what is marinating? Where did it come from and why is it so important in cooking? Let's find out!
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What is marinating?
You've probably come across this term when searching for a recipe to make every day or for that special occasion, right?
But don't worry, today we're going to explain what marinating means and how to apply it to the dishes and recipes you make at home!
First, let's understand how the term came about, marinating comes from “marinade”, or Marinus, originally from Latin, which is nothing more than the act of leaving food immersed in seasonings and substances.
In ancient times, this technique was used to place meat and other foods with salt, water, vinegar and seasonings, with the aim of preserving the food.
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Nowadays, it's not much different from that!
When we talk about marinating, it is basically adding all the seasonings together meat and let it rest for hours, or for minutes, to intensify the flavor. But does it go beyond that? The answer is: yes!
When marinating meat, chicken or fish, you can not only preserve the food and intensify the flavor of the seasonings, but also tenderize or remove moisture.
It all depends on the seasoning you use in this marinade!
Oh, and look how interesting: the marinade is normally liquid or a little more homogeneous, and at various times, it is possible to use this liquid to complement a sauce.
And how to apply it to food?
There's no big secret when it comes to marinating a piece of meat, you know? It's very simple and easy, and believe me: the result may surprise you and you'll win everyone over. special lunch or dinner!
Let's learn in practice how to make a good marinade? Just look, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 protein of your choice: pork, beef, chicken;
- 1 tablespoon of oregano;
- 1 teaspoon of paprika;
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce;
- 1 teaspoon of salt;
- ½ cup of olive oil or butter;
- 2 or 3 tablespoons of water;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- 100ml of dry white wine;
- 1 lemon juice;
- Black pepper (to taste);
- 1 sprig of rosemary and thyme.
How to prepare?
Just mix everything in a container, adding all your seasonings and spices.
Then, transfer the meat of your choice to a ziploc bag, the kind that can be kept in the refrigerator and sealed. They are perfect for marinating food.
After that, add the entire marinade mixture and it's time to mix everything very well inside the closed bag. Massage the meat for a few minutes and that's it!
Put it in the fridge and leave it for a few hours or minutes, it all depends on how you prepare it!
If you want to tenderize the meat, leave it for a few hours. To intensify the seasoning, about 30 minutes is perfect.
And that’s it, your food is marinating and you can soon prepare it however you like!