? about marinade.

[3970010]

I hear a lot about marinade. I think it (pretty sure) has something to do with taste and tenderness. What I want to know is what exactly is happening to the meat when you are marinading. Do different things happen to the meat when you marinade with different things.

[BBQ Angel]

It depends on the ingredients in the marinade itself. Pineapple juice for example has an enzyme in it that will tenderize meat as well as flavor it. Vinegar based marinades can do the same thing. Some marinades that contain citrus juice can actually start cooking or hardening meat if left to marinate too long (especially chicken or fish).

[3970010]

It depends on the ingredients in the marinade itself. Pineapple juice for example has an enzyme in it that will tenderize meat as well as flavor it. Vinegar based marinades can do the same thing. Some marinades that contain citrus juice can actually start cooking or hardening meat if left to marinate too long (especially chicken or fish).

Pineapple sounds good. Is there any citrus in that. I dont think so but I dont know. I wonder about cherry juice? Is 24 hours to long to marinade something? Is 8 hours enough?

[TB]

I tink you're about to get a lot of food science theory here. I reasearched that once and my head hurt when I was through. So many commercial marinades are being sold right now, that the science of it has erupted. Now I made my living for 32 years using science, but at this stage, I'm gonna sit back until it all sorts itself out.

Meanwhile, I love to mariante stuff with non-enzyme acidic juices, oil and spices. I don't marinade things for over a few hours. I use eyetalian dressing cause it works good, mango juice and oil and spices when I'm feelin Carribean and citrus and oil at times. In the not too distant future I want to try Steven Raichlen's "the only marinade you'll ever need" just cause he's so high on it.

[3970010]

I tink you're about to get a lot of food science theory here.

Meanwhile, I love to mariante stuff with non-enzyme acidic juices, oil and spices.

Uh, huh, I see what you mean. My head is hurting already. I might ought to stick with a brine. Thats working pretty good.