marinades

A marinade is a mixture of ingredients, often including liquids like vinegar, citrus juice, or oil, combined with herbs, spices, and aromatics. Its purpose is to enhance flavor, tenderize, and sometimes add moisture to foods like meats, seafood, or vegetables. The food is soaked in the marinade for a period, allowing the flavors to penetrate and, in some cases, breaking down muscle fibers for a more tender result. Proper marinating enhances taste and can improve texture, but it's important to balance ingredients and marinate safely to avoid bacterial growth.