The Only Marinade You'll Ever Need

Recipe adapted from Steven Raichlen, the grillmaster. Use within 1-2 hours of making.

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Yields: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 1⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  hot pepper flakes
• 1  teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon kosher salt or 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, to taste
• 4  slices lemon zest
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄4 cup  coarsely chopped fresh parsley
• 1⁄4 cup  coarsely chopped fresh basil (or a mix of all four) or 1⁄4 cup fresh cilantro (or a mix of all four) or 1⁄4 cup fresh dill (or a mix of all four) or 1⁄4 cup fresh oregano (or a mix of all four)
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Combine the lemon juice, hot pepper flakes, cracked pepper, and salt in a nonreactive (glass, ceramic, or stainless steel) bowl and whisk until the salt crystals are dissolved.
2. Add the lemon zest, garlic, parsley, and basil.
3. Stir or whisk in the olive oil.
4. The virtue of this marinade is its freshness; use it within 1 to 2 hours of making.
5. Stir again before using.