MARINADES AND SAUCES

MAKES 1½ CUPS (360 ML), ENOUGH TO MARINATE 3 LB (1.4 KG) OF MEAT OR VEGETABLES

Now that you have a cabinet full of homebrewed goodies, you can get creative in the kitchen! This easy-to-follow formula creates a delicious marinade for meats and veggies.

1 cup (240 ml) wine, mead, cider or beer

½ cup (120 ml) light oil, such as extra virgin olive oil or walnut oil, or melted butter

Fresh herbs and spices, mustard, citrus juice and other seasonings, to taste

1 tsp salt

1. Whisk together the wine, oil, herbs and spices and salt.

2. Arrange the meat or vegetables in a shallow baking pan and pour the marinade over it. Cover the dish and marinate the chicken, seafood or vegetables in the refrigerator for up to 3 hours. You can marinate beef in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW YOU CAN APPLY THE MARINADE FORMULA:

Spiced Pomegranate Wine with extra virgin olive oil, thyme, oregano, black pepper, garlic and salt for spiced beef, mushrooms or eggplant.

Maple Syrup Cider with browned butter, nutmeg, cloves, brown sugar and salt for a pork shoulder.

Lemon-Pepper IPA with extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, rosemary and salt for grilled chicken or fish.

TURN YOUR MARINADE INTO A SAUCE: After draining the meat or vegetables, bring the used marinade to a boil for 1 minute, and then simmer it for 3 minutes to reduce it into a sauce that you can serve with the meal.