Recipe: Basic Marinade for Grilling

Marinates 4 to 6 portions of protein

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary or other fresh herb
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon finely minced garlic
1/3 cup olive oil or salad oil, depending upon which herbs you are using
½ teaspoon coarse-ground black pepper or ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes

4 to 6 portions of protein, such as chicken breasts, steaks, pork loin chops,
salmon, or large shrimp; or large portobello mushrooms as a vegetarian option

1. In a small bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients.

2. Lay out meat or mushrooms in a shallow, non-aluminum baking pan. Spoon half
the marinade on the top side of each portion and rub it around, then flip the
protein and spoon on the remaining marinade, being sure that all surfaces are
covered.

3. Cover pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to
overnight.

4. When ready to cook, heat grill to medium-high heat, then brush grill lightly
with oil. Be sure grill is hot before placing meat or mushrooms on it. Sprinkle
both sides of food with kosher salt, grill on the first side, being sure not to
move it until there is a good charred grill mark. (The biggest mistake that
home cooks make is to "touch" what they are grilling too much and move it
around before it is ready; this causes sticking.) Discard any leftover
marinade.

5. Grill to desired doneness. No specific time can be given as it will depend
upon your heat and what you are grilling. Typically, if there are nice grill
marks on each side, the food is probably close to done. Until you are a
seasoned griller, get a small paring knife and cut a tiny peek into the center
of what you are cooking. For poultry you will want to see no pink; fish should
be just cooked and not dry; shrimp should be just pink on the outside and
barely opaque inside; and steaks should be the way you like them!

Chef's Note: This marinade is a basic one, so get creative here when you feel
ready. Practice makes perfect. And grilling is "rustic," so if you make a
mistake, it is not the end of the world - just jump back in and try it again
soon.