Marinate smarter not longer with the help of these two ingredients
and taste. Whether you are preparing juicy kebabs, or trying to make a roast, marinating your choice of protein is the first step when it comes to making sure it soaks in all the flavours and spices.
'While not strictly fundamental for every single dish wherein high-quality cuts rely on the meat's natural flavor, marination is a highly beneficial technique used for several key reasons, such as flavor infusion, tenderization and moisture retention,' said executive chef Tamoghna Chakraborty, DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield, Bangalore.
According to Chef Chakraborty, both acid and salt play significant roles, but in slightly different ways. 'Salt is crucial for flavor absorption. Through a process related to osmosis and diffusion, salt helps to draw out moisture from the meat, and helps denature and loosen the protein structure within the muscle fibers. Acids like vinegar, lemon juice, lime juice, wine, yogurt, buttermilk on the other hand primarily work by denaturing proteins on the surface of the meat,' he explained.
Acids add their distinct tangy flavor to the marinade and the surface of the meat. Unlike salt, acids don't penetrate very deeply into the meat. While they help tenderise the exterior, they don't significantly drive other marinade flavors deep into the cut, he added.
For example, Chef Vishesh Jawarani, founder of JSan, an Izakaya gastropub, Goa shared that they use a marinade of rice vinegar, sake, soy, mirin and seasonings to make Chicken Karaage. 'We marinate the chicken for at least 24 hours and keep it in the refrigerator to ensure it is well-marinated and seasoned. Prior to frying we bring the chicken back to room temperature,' he added.
Chef Ritesh Tulsian, NXT LVL, Mumbai shared some key pointers to ensure your marination game is on point:
'Don't over-marinate—too much acid for too long can make meat mushy. And always marinate in the fridge, not at room temperature,' Chef Sanchit – head chef, Heritage Village Resorts and Spa, Goa, added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Tripura's heath-care system 'completely collapsed' under BJP government, alleges Congress
Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party-led (BJP) government in Tripura, the Opposition Congress alleged the State's health-care system has "completely collapsed" even as Chief Minister Manik Saha is himself a doctor. Congress spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty on Saturday (August 17, 2025) alleged that instead of delivering quality health care, the State has witnessed corruption and medical negligence, leading to deaths. Major attack on Independence Day thwarted in Tripura as police arrest 2 with explosives 'Reports from both government and independent agencies have 'punctured' the much-publicised claim of a health revolution,' he claimed. 'According to a recent report by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Tripura ranked first among northeastern States in malaria and chikungunya cases in 2024-25, despite having only 44 lakh population as compared to Assam's over three crore,' Mr. Chakraborty said. Tripura CM claims incumbent BJP-led coalition government provided nearly 20,000 regular jobs 'In 2023 alone, the State recorded 22,412 malaria cases, nearly half of the Northeast's total, while chikungunya cases rose from 1,557 in 2023 to 2,452 in December 2024,' he said. Mr. Chakraborty said the report further revealed a disturbing rise in HIV cases. Between January and November 2024, 1,237 people were found to be positive out of 12,660 people tested. Alleging that corruption has been rampant in medical recruitments, he claimed that candidates scoring as low as 14-15 marks out of 100 were appointed as medical officers by the government. "The State Government is more interested in creating flashy showcases than real reforms," Mr. Chakraborty alleged, urging the Chief Minister to take concrete measures to strengthen the health-care system.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Cookbook author Martha Stewart shares clever tip to remove garlic smell from your fingers; we find out if it works
Garlic adds incredible flavour to food, yes, but the lingering smell it leaves behind on your hands can be highly unappealing. Popular American cookbook author Martha Stewart seems to have an easy hack up her sleeve: rub your hands on stainless steel under warm water to neutralise the odor! 'Hold a stainless steel knife under running warm water and rub your fingers along the blunt side. The oxide layer on the steel reacts with sulfur compounds in garlic, which makes it cling to the surface of the steel knife instead of your fingers,' she shared in a video. But this this super simple hack work? According to Executive Sous Chef Kalil from DoubleTree by Hilton Whitefield Bengaluru, it does! And just in case you are terrified of sharp objects such as blades and knives, he also shared a few more kitchen-tested remedies: Create a paste using salt and baking soda with a little water. Scrub your hands and rinse with soapy water — the baking soda deodorizes while salt exfoliates. Simply moisten your hands a bit, and the salt particles will cling to your palms and fingers. This way, when you rub them and then rinse them with water, the smell automatically disappears. Coffee grounds also work well to mask and absorb the odor. For a quick fix, you can also try a minty mouthwash or a scented hand sanitizer. 'Just like salt, you can rub some coffee beans or powdered coffee on your hands to get rid of the smell. This can mask the smell of any pungent-smelling food item. Later, you can wash your hands with soap and water,' he said, Just like toothpaste works for your teeth, it can also remove the smell of certain foods from your hands. Simply apply a small amount to your palm, rub it in gently, and then rinse it off with water. Make sure you use the basic white one, and not anything that comes in the form of a gel, because that will not be very helpful. And at times, lemons can also come in handy. Citrus fruits have a pleasant smell which is equally strong. So, all you have to do is cut a lemon in half and rub it on your hands, or better yet, make juice and apply it evenly on your fingers and palms. It will absorb any and all kinds of odour, leaving behind a nice smell. Don't let the smell turn you off completely, though! Garlic comes with a bunch of health benefits. Dr Anjali Tiwari, dietician, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Kanpur. 'Garlic is rich in bioactive compounds such as allicin, sulfur, and antioxidants, which contribute to its numerous health benefits. Regular consumption has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, reduce triglycerides, and improve overall heart health by preventing plaque buildup in arteries,' said Dr Tiwari. Garlic also possesses natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties, effectively supporting the immune system and combating infections. Due to its vasodilatory effects, studies suggest that garlic consumption may help regulate blood pressure. Its antioxidants play a role in neutralising free radicals, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative conditions, she explained. 'It is highly beneficial as it helps manage cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and reduce the risk of liver diseases. Its sulfur compounds play a key role in detoxifying the body. Rich in allicin, it offers significant nutritional value, helps reduce inflammation, and lowers cholesterol levels. Additionally, it acts as a natural antibiotic and may aid in cancer prevention,' said Dr Tiwari.
India Today
10-08-2025
- India Today
IIT Kharagpur creates new dean position to focus on students' mental well-being
In a first-of-its-kind initiative, IIT Kharagpur has appointed a dedicated dean to oversee students' mental health and overall well-being. The move comes in the wake of four suspected student suicides in campus hostels since Chakraborty, a professor at the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences, assumed charge as the Dean of Students' Well-being on August 5. According to IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty, the role has been created exclusively to support students emotionally, help them navigate challenges, and encourage their holistic the Dean of Student Affairs,who primarily handles academic and administrative matters the new dean will focus entirely on mental health concerns. 'He will not just be a figure in an office; he will engage with students directly, both in groups and individually, acting as a friend, teacher, and mentor,' the director said. Professor Chakraborty is already familiar with student concerns through his involvement in BTech induction programmes. The director emphasised that the position is likely the first of its kind in Indian institutes, reflecting a growing awareness of the need to actively address emotional well-being alongside to questions about whether the creation of the post was linked to the recent deaths, the director said the institute's priority is to ensure that no student feels overwhelmed by pressure. He noted that while academic and extracurricular programmes continue with the same vigour, socio-economic changes may have affected students' mental states. The administration, he added, has also been engaging with parents regularly to ensure students feel supported, even during Kharagpur currently houses around 16,000 students across 21 hostels. The most recent incident occurred on July 18, when fourth-year mechanical engineering student Ritam Mondal was found dead in his hostel room. Three other hostel residents have died in similar circumstances since the start of the year.- Ends
