| The world of marinades and rubs can be pretty | | | | necessarily better. Start out by following the |
| confusing to the novice cook. Some say that | | | | instructions on any marinade recipe very carefully. |
| steak marinades are a must, while others | | | | That will help you get the best results. After you |
| recommend just salting your steak and tossing it | | | | know what you're doing, you can take the time |
| on the grill. You'll hear that marinades tenderize | | | | to do a little bit of experimentation. |
| meat and that they toughen it, that some are | | | | As to the marinade ingredients that work best, |
| better than others, and that certain ingredients | | | | it's hard to say which to choose. It all depends on |
| work magic on a cheap steak. Is there truth in | | | | your personal tastes. Some prefer lemon based |
| any of it? Let's take a look at some of the basics | | | | marinades, while others like vinegar. Some |
| behind marinating to help you find the best steak | | | | marinate their steaks in an alcoholic marinade. |
| marinades for your situation. | | | | Pineapple and papaya containing steak marinades |
| First, just what is a marinade? In most cases, it's | | | | will contain enzymes that tenderize the meat, |
| a flavorful liquid with a mildly to strongly acidic | | | | breaking down the proteins. However, you should |
| base that's used to get flavor into the meat. The | | | | use them with care. |
| liquid permeates your steak, infusing it with the | | | | They add a great taste and create a less chewy |
| taste of the marinade. | | | | steak, but they'll also reduce a good steak to |
| Generally, you'll want to allow the steak to rest in | | | | mush if overused. These fruits are surprisingly |
| the marinade for a couple of hours only. It can be | | | | powerful, and should be utilized with caution when |
| tempting to assume that if two hours makes a | | | | creating your steak marinades. |
| steak more tender, then longer times would | | | | You should also remember that a great marinade |
| make it even better, but that's not the case. A | | | | can't save a lackluster steak. It's an unfortunate |
| similar line of thinking leads to overly acid | | | | fact, but a true one. To cook a good steak, you |
| marinades, which have a similar effect to long | | | | need to start with a good steak. While steak |
| marinating - tough steak. | | | | marinades can certainly improve a piece of meat |
| You see, initially, the acid in a marinade can help | | | | that's a little below the grade, it's best to choose |
| unravel the proteins, resulting in a less chewy | | | | the best steaks available to you. |
| steak. However, if you leave the steak in too | | | | Combine it with your favorite marinade, use a |
| long, especially in a very acidic steak marinade, | | | | little care in cooking it, and make sure you rest |
| you'll find that the opposite effect occurs. Those | | | | the meat before cutting, and the result will be a |
| unraveled proteins bond back up and form a | | | | delicious steak that will impress your family and |
| tough, rubbery meat. | | | | friends. Try a few steak marinades today, and |
| So, don't be tempted to overdo it with your | | | | think about the results. That's the best way to |
| marinade. A little is good, but a lot is not | | | | get a family favorite. |