Sunday, July 21, 2013

Using Gourmet Marinades Takes The Guesswork Away From Measuring

By Chelsea Evans


Many people realize that cooking at home not only costs less than dining out, it allows for more comfort. Yet, it can be a task to season food in the same fashion as most restaurants. A person can take cooking lessons and buy spices by the dozens but there is another way. By using gourmet marinades and rubs in cooking meals, this can help the home cook save time and money.

Using marinades and rubs is very easy as it brings good flavor to food without a lot of fuss. The basic rules are that rubs are of a dry consistency and tend to add flavor quickly. Oftentimes, these are so packed with flavor that users should consider the meat being cooked before application. This hold especially true with those that are not very dense in texture.

Many say that marinades are easier because they just require pouring directly on the meat and letting sit for a few hours. Those who use these of often suggest letting the meat soak overnight for full flavor. Thick cuts of meat benefit greatly from marinades, as they require no further seasoning. Once meat has soaked, it can be sealed and stored for an hour or more.

When it comes to flavors, there are many varieties from which to choose for almost every type of meat and poultry dish. While smoky or grilled flavors are popular, some appreciate international flavors that use exotic spices, fruit flavors and combinations that may be unusual. The good thing is that the package normally suggests which flavors complement meat and seafood the best.

When it comes to cooking seafood, garlic or herb flavors work well with many types of fish. It is also important to know that since fish tends to have a lighter texture, it may not be necessary to use a long soak time. The same should apply when cooking shellfish as it should not overpower the natural taste.

The purpose of using these is to save time in the cooking process but some marinades may lend themselves to other uses in cooking. They work well in the seasoning of potatoes and other dense vegetables. This is good news for vegetarians or those who like to have a non meat entree sometimes.

The best way to choose a marinade or rub is to look at the ingredients. Many manufacturers may use terms like gourmet or premium but often they are mostly water and salt. A person can also look to see if the spices are visible or not. Even major brand names tend to skimp on ingredients so it is best to look carefully.

While marinades and rubs are priced about the same, some experienced cooks say spending a little extra pays off in the end. When saving money on products that are mostly water and salt, it is almost like not using anything at all. Trying different flavors of gourmet marinades and rubs is good for the person who likes to cook but do not always have time to measure or spend a lot of kitchen time.




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