Marinades serve two essential purposes: enhancing flavor and tenderizing the surface of the food. When preparing meat, they act by breaking down proteins, allowing the seasoning to infuse the meat slowly, and the acidic components, such as citrus juice, contribute to the juiciness by dissolving the muscle tissue. Marinades consist of four primary components: salt, acid, oil, and flavorings. To gain a deeper understanding of what constitutes a marinade, continue reading.
Exploring the Components of Marinades
Making marinades is not as difficult as people think. When it comes to the oil component, various types of oil are available for cooking, and the choice depends on the dish being prepared. For example, swordfish pairs well with olive oil, giving it a buttery texture, while toasted sesame oil adds a smoky, nutty flavor to chicken dishes.
Next up is acids. If you’re unfamiliar with them, some examples are citrus juice, vinegar, yogurt, and buttermilk. Always keep in mind the ratio of one part acid to three parts oil, which is a simple and effective guideline that can’t fail.
Salt and Seasonings
Small but mighty, salt plays a crucial role in breaking down protein in meat and can tenderize it when applied and left overnight. Just remember to use one part salt when combined with the other three ingredients in the marinade.
A good seasoning mix used in marinades can help to lock flavor onto the surface of whatever you are cooking. You can combine seasonings however you want. Rosemary, oregano, and thyme can make a delicious herbs de Provence seasoning, or you can be daring and try mixing spicy herbs to add some heat to your cooking. The options are endless, and it all comes down to what you’re marinating and what flavor profile you’re going for.
Hero Flight Attendant Saves Couple’s Honeymoon After Devastated Woman Forgot Her Passport
Everyone knows how important a passport is when traveling anywhere outside of the country. However, that fact doesn’t stop it from being one of the most commonly forgotten items. There’s no reasonable explanation – people just forget. They might have an entire list of what to take, but still miss the most important thing. And there is nothing more devastating because no flight can happen without the proper identification. Unless there is a hero to save the day!
Forgotten Passport Breeds a Hero
Recently, there was a high-pressure situation for a woman and her new husband taking off on their honeymoon, but a flight attendant from their particular flight saved their trip. Lawyrn Fellwock was taking off to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from her hometown, Detroit. From Puerto Rico, she and Joe, her husband, were supposed to take off to go on a luxurious cruise. However, the woman was frantic when she found she had forgotten her identification.
The Fear Continues
The woman feared she would be stuck on the Puerto Rican island without her passport, but flight attendant Dusty Dills saved her. He offered to pick up her form of identification and hand it off to another attendant in Atlanta – thus, saving the honeymoon. Dills said that he always wonders what he can do to change someone’s life – he likes taking it further than just doing the job of an attendant every day.
People were more than a little impressed with the guy’s offer to be a hero for this woman and save her honeymoon trip and luxurious cruise. Delta Airlines even shared the story of the hero who saved the couple by retrieving the woman’s passport, and comments flew in from people gushing about the heartwarming gesture. The couple themselves commented how touched and grateful they were to the attendant who renewed their faith in humanity after the endearing act. It just goes to show, there are still wonderful people out there, and Dills is one of the many!