Soaking leads to savory grilling

Marinating meat, fowl, fish or vegetables for the grill adds a little zip to summertime meals and it's about as easy as tying your shoes.

Marinades act as both a flavoring and tenderizing agent. To tenderize the meat, the marinade must include an acidic ingredient such as lime juice or vinegar.

Some meats, such as flank steak, benefit from a long bath in a marinade. More delicate items such as shrimp can only withstand a marinade for a few hours.

For food safety's sake, don't return the grilled meat to the same container in which it marinated and throw out the marinade once it has done its job.

Below are some recipes to get you started.

"The Only Marinade You'll Ever Need"

Courtesy of Steven Raichlen, Barbecue! Bible Sauces, Rubs and Marinades

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea), or to taste

4 strips of lemon zest

3 cloves garlic, crushed with the side of a cleaver or minced

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil, cilantro, dill, oregano, or a mix of all four

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine the lemon juice, hot pepper flakes, cracked pepper, and salt in a non-reactive (glass, ceramic, or stainless steel) bowl and whisk until the salt crystals are dissolved. Add the lemon zest, garlic, parsley and basil. Stir or whisk in the olive oil. Use it within one to two hours of making. Stir again before using.

Summer Vegetable Marinade

Recipe courtesy Cypress Caterers, Food TV

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 1/2 teaspoons honey

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt, to taste

Combine all ingredients and brush on vegetables before grilling. This marinade can be used to add more flavor to the grilled veggies since there is no meat component.

Ginger Marinade

Recipe courtesy Weber grills

2 tablespoons minced ginger

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 cup lime juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup oil

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Whisk together ginger, garlic, rice wine vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, oil, sesame oil, and cilantro. This would be good on seafood such as shrimp or swordfish.